Drivers are being warned of new parking charges that have been introduced at a riverside car park in North Tyneside.
The charges came into force this week at Royal Quays Marina, in North Shields, which is a popular spot for visitors to the area.
The site, run by Boatfolk Marinas Ltd, now has Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to monitor vehicles 24 hours a day. Drivers who fail to pay for their parking could face a £100 fine.
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Berth holders are able to park for free and customers of The Lock restaurant can get two hours free.
Boatfolk says the changes were implemented to help balance the needs of marina users, ensuring they can get parked, whilst continuing to offer spaces to the general public.
In a statement on its website, it says: "Marina berth holders, tenants and bona fide customers will continue to park for free, but members of the public and non-berth holders will need to pay to park.
"There will be a two-tiered charging system with a good value ‘standard’ tariff area alongside the East Quay, and a higher cost ‘premium’ car park accessed from the roundabout closet to the marina office.
"We are introducing this change as we believe this is the best way of trying to balance the needs of marina users, and ensure that they can get parked, whilst continuing to offer parking to the general public so that they can enjoy what the area has to offer.
"All car park areas around the marina are under control of boatfolk Marinas Ltd, and whilst we have previously allowed free public use, there is increasing pressure on space as the marina grows and becomes more popular with the visiting public.
"In particular the remodelling of the car parks to accommodate the Port of Tyne’s widening of The Northumbrian Quay cruise terminal has reduced the number of car park spaces.
"Revenue generated from ad-hoc visitors and day-trippers will contribute to the costs of providing, maintaining and managing the car parks and the general marina estate."
Visitors to The Lock will be able to park for up to two hours free by getting a voucher when paying at the till - but this will only apply to the ‘standard’ car park. The voucher should be redeemed at the ticket machine.
Blue Badge holders may park for free up to three hours in the standard car park by scanning their Blue Badge.
The car park will be managed on the company's behalf by Premier Park Ltd. More information is available here.
The new parking charges at Royal Quays Marina
At the standard long stay car park, the charges will be:
- up to one hour - £1
- up to two hours - £2
- up to 12 hours - £3
- 24 hour parking - £6
- Blue Badge holders park for free up to three hours (badge must be displayed)
- Customers to The Lock get two hours free (you must scan your valid voucher)
Premium car park charges will be:
- £2 per hour / £10 all day
- Blue Badge holders (no concessions)
