Pledge to deter 'inconsiderate' airport parking

A council has vowed to do more to prevent drivers from leaving their cars in a town near Newcastle Airport to avoid parking charges.

Ponteland, which lies close to the airport, has been plagued with "inconsiderate" parking on residential streets and in car parks, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Northumberland County Council (NCC) said officers were working on new enforcement proposals, including installing fencing and double yellow lines in affected areas.

Newcastle International Airport said it was working with the council and Northumbria Police to "address the inconsiderate parking issues in Ponteland".

Richard Dodd, who represents Ponteland North on the county council, suggested high fees for parking and drop-offs at the airport were at least partially responsible for the problems.

He said they worsened last year after neighbouring Newcastle City Council introduced a "red route" to ban vehicles from stopping on key roads near the airport.

Dodd described seeing "people walking into Ponteland with their suitcases... they park on streets or in some of the car parks".

He added: "The new £1.2m cycleway between the airport and Darras Hall has become a glorified car park. It's a real problem."

The councillor claimed the "villain is the airport" because drivers "can't even drop people off for free".

Furthermore, he said: "The red route is now there on the Newcastle side, so if you park or stop on the red route you're done for."

NCC said it was "very aware of the increasing inconsiderate parking issues".

Northumbria Police said it had received reports from concerned residents in relation to parking issues in Ponteland.

Newcastle International Airport said it provided 15 minutes' free parking in one of its car parks, as well as a free waiting area at Callerton Parkway for picking passengers up.

A spokesperson said the airport "remained in regular discussions" and was "fully supportive" of the authorities' plans.

"We continue to ask any residents to report anti-social parking or behaviour to the relevant authorities," it said.

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