Cliff free parking set to end as park & ride brought in

Sandsend has often been a favourite haunt because, unlike busy resorts such as Scarborough, it is relatively easy to park for nothing close to the beach.

But North Yorkshire County Council bosses will banish free parking from the seafront to encourage motorists to use the new park and ride scheme at Whitby. Free long-stay parking in Whitby will also be removed to make way for pay and display bays in congestion hotspots, such as the North Promenade.

The county council will introduce controlled parking zones for residents to counter the threat of visitors pinching spaces in surrounding streets, causing problems for local people and businesses.

Coun Joe Plant said: "Tourism is the lifeblood of Whitby and Sandsend and Whitby will take a major step forward in dealing with traffic issues with the opening of the Park & Ride next year. But the Park & Ride will not work alone.

"We need to introduce charges for parking in high-demand areas while in other areas we need to control parking to give priority to residents. If we get the balance right then everybody benefits and the town will continue to thrive for both visitors and residents."

A series of exhibitions are to be held which will set out the proposals, which are still subject to public consultation.

The dates and locations are: June 14, The Pyman Institute, Sandsend (10:30 – 6:30); June 15-17 at Whitby Coliseum Centre (10:30 – 6:30); June 19, Whitby Highways Office, Cholmley Way (10am-2pm); and June 22, Whitby Green Lane Centre (10.30 – 6.30).