Frustration at 'illegal parking' for residents near Newcastle Airport

Residents living at Prestwick Road End have reported multiple issues relating to the 'illegal parking' of drivers, due to travel to Newcastle International Airport located just a one-minute drive away, according to Google Maps.

Kevin Lee, a resident and the owner of the bed and breakfast Stone Cottage Accommodation, has lived at his home since 1992 and opened his business in 1997.

He claims the road has always 'had problems' over the years, from the general public and taxi drivers waiting in his driveway to pick up passengers from the airport. 

A screenshot from a video showing cars parked outside Kevin Lee's home and BnB on Prestwick Road End (Image: Supplied) However, while this was 'annoying', Kevin said it was 'nothing compared to what we are experiencing at the moment'.

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Routes around the airport are now 'red routes', where vehicles are prohibited from stopping or parking.

These new restrictions were met with concerns from residents at the time that banning drivers from pulling up on roads in the area would result in motorists clogging residential streets to avoid parking charges.

Cars parked on Prestwick Road End (Image: Supplied) When the plans were unveiled last year, Northumberland County Council highways infrastructure manager Robin McCartney said: “Our major issue is probably going to be Prestwick Road, which is unrestricted and has wide verges. You can see any vehicles being displaced from the airport possibly being drawn to that road.

“Further down it is quite narrow and if there’s inconsiderate parking there we’re going to have road safety issues. We are monitoring that.

“Other areas are the Ponteland Road, where there are problems with cars parking already.”

Kevin said that since these new rules were introduced, 'parking in the area has become a great nuisance as well as a danger', with cars being parked on footpaths, in residents' parking permit zones, or blocking the view of exiting vehicles of oncoming traffic.

Rule 244 of the Highway Code states drivers should not park 'partially or wholly on the footway or footpath unless signs permit it'.

Several signs along Prestwick Road End say 'resident permit holders only' and 'strictly no parking'.

'Human excrement' and toilet paper discarded outside homes on Prestwick Road End (Image: Supplied) "We have to pull onto the road, past the width of the taxis and into the path of oncoming vehicles, to see if it is safe to exit our driveway," he said. 

He has called Northumbria Police on multiple occasions, which move the cars on; however, 'only minutes' after the police leave, the cars return.

Kevin added that this is only the beginning of issues experienced by residents, as he and his neighbours have discovered 'human excrement' and toilet paper discarded in the bushes next to their homes, and claims his upstairs bathroom window was 'inexplicably smashed' with an object, which he reported to police.

"The noise every night is horrendous, with loud music, doors banging, and groups of men talking as well as being quite intimidating, for my family or guests walking in at night," he added.

A broken window at Kevin's home (Image: Supplied) Multiple residents have contacted the police, local authorities and the airport itself to seek help.

Northumberland County Council said it was 'aware' of 'increasing inconsiderate parking issues' and was 'preparing proposals' for 'enforcement' in the area.

Fellow resident, builder Rob Brewis, has lived on the road for approximately 20 years, and said he and others living on the street have faced 'countless acts of aggression and threats' when they have asked the drivers to move their cars.

He said since the council introduced the new 'red routes' last year, the situation has 'escalated out of control', and described it as 'absolutely crazy'.

"Since the red lines went down, this has been the first season where we've felt the impact," Rob said. "There are eight properties here, with maybe 30 or more residents who live in them - everyone has had enough. It's a constant daily battle."

Signs showing 'resident permit holders only' and 'strictly no parking' on Prestwick Road End (Image: Google Maps) He fears 'it's an accident waiting to happen' with cars parked in 'dangerous' places on the road.

However, he admitted drivers picking people up from the airport 'have nowhere to go'.

Parking at the airport's Short Stay 1 car park for 15 minutes costs £8, while the first 15 minutes at Short Stay 2 car park is free.

Ponteland East with Stannington county councillor Lyle Darwin said he is receiving 'daily emails' about the issues being faced by 'many' residents and is in contact with the police and others at County Hall to attempt to resolve the situation. 

He said: "All incidents should be reported to the police, even if this is via 111 and not the emergency number. We must ensure the statistics correlate to the incidents occurring."

Cllr Darwin added: "I would like the police to take a more proactive approach in this and move vehicles on, particularly those blocking the exit from the roundabout at Prestwick and lying dormant in the road."

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “We have received reports of concerns from residents in relation to parking in the Prestwick Road area of Ponteland and are in contact with our partner agencies around the issue.”

A spokesperson from Northumberland County Council said: "The council is aware of the increasing inconsiderate parking issues and is preparing proposals for future parking restrictions and associated enforcement for consultation with local councillors, partners and residents."

A Newcastle International Airport spokesperson said it takes the matter 'extremely seriously'.

"Following a comprehensive public consultation, Newcastle City Council introduced additional parking restrictions last year on several roads immediately adjacent to the airport and Callerton Parkway.

“These measures were implemented in response to concerns from residents about inappropriate and inconsiderate parking and to improve road safety in the area.

“To support the council initiative, the airport also provides a free waiting area for drivers at Callerton Parkway and a 15-minute free drop-off period in our Short Stay 2 car park.

“Over the past year, we have contacted all North East taxi operators on multiple occasions to raise awareness of these facilities and they are responsible for ensuring their drivers park and operate safely.

“This is a matter we take extremely seriously and we are currently talking to Northumberland County Council to explore introducing further parking measures to address residents’ concerns.”

Newcastle City Council was contacted for comment.