Three-hour free parking promotion to end

Published Tuesday, 24th January 2023

An initiative that allows motorists to park for free for up to three hours in town centre pay and display car parks in Hartlepool will cease at the end of the month.

Funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority and introduced in 2021 for two years, the free parking promotion which applies to local authority areas across the Tees Valley, was proposed by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and agreed by members of the TVCA’s Cabinet.

It was designed to boost local economies by encouraging more people to shop at town centre businesses.

Funding provided by the TVCA compensated local authorities for loss of parking income, but the scheme is now coming to an end.

As a result, from February 1st pay and display charges will revert back to their original rates.

The change will affect motorists parking in the Westside (behind York Road), Eastside /Wilko, Roker Street, Basement, Waldon Street, and Multi-Storey car parks managed by Hartlepool Borough Council, as well as the parking spaces adjacent to the King Johns Tavern.

Tony Hanson, the Council’s Director of Neighbourhoods and Regulatory Services, said: “We are grateful to the TVCA for funding the free parking initiative over the last two years.

“We want to ensure that people are fully aware that from February 1st the free parking period will no longer be in existence and charges will apply once again, including for Blue Badge holders.

“Although this scheme is now coming to an end, the Council will be re-introducing “free after 3pm” parking in the East Side, Basement and Multi-Storey car parks and we will continue to offer free town centre parking on Sundays. In addition, we are committed to continuing our annual Christmas parking promotion which offers free parking on Saturdays in December.”