Changes may affect parking in popular visitor destination

A PARKING shake-up is on the cards in Whitby as council bosses look to the future in easing congestion problems.

Scarborough Council is the main provider of off-street parking in the resort where spaces are at a premium, especially during the holiday season.

However, a long-term review is being called for by senior bureaucrats because of big changes that may affect local car parks soon.

After depending largely on tourism in recent years, Whitby is now also looking to the emerging off-shore wind industry to create jobs.

A report to Scarborough Council underlines that wind energy operations at Whitby Harbour are largely expected to centre around Endeavour Wharf.

Many of the parking spaces needed by motorists during peak periods are on the wharf and the report reminds councillors that the bays may be lost if the area reverts to more industrial use, servicing the off-shore green energy business.

The other big factor in traffic management is the Whitby Park and Ride Scheme. Although delayed due to spending cuts the project is still in the pipeline.

“The proposals to introduce a park and ride scheme in Whitby with associated on-street parking controls may mean a potential impact upon the demand for off-street car parking in the town,” said head of technical services John Riby.

A review of off-street car parking stock in Whitby has been requested in light of both the park and ride scheme and the expected shift to industrial use at Endeavour Wharf.

Officers are being instructed to review the parking provision in Whitby and report to a group of councillors that review car parking every year so they are able to draw up a strategy for 2011.