A new £15.5-million multi-storey car park has opened to drivers in Bridlington as part of ongoing efforts to regenerate the seaside town. The striking 426-space facility on Beck Hill, situated between Manor Street and Hilderthorpe Road, officially opened this week.

East Riding Of Yorkshire Council, which funded the project, is giving drivers their first hour of parking free of charge to encourage short shopping visits and support local businesses. Leaders from the local authority are confident the car park will breathe new life into the town.

And councillors hope the site will help ease long-standing traffic congestion caused by motorists circling the town’s one-way system in search of a space. The new car park will offer EV charging and overnight parking – but motorists are advised it is a cashless facility with only card payments being accepted.

It is a ‘milestone in the regeneration’ of Bridlington, according to the leader of the council, Cllr Anne Handley. She officially opened the car park and spoke of her huge pride in the successful development that her Cabinet worked so hard to make happen.

A new multi-storey car park in Bridlington has been designed to give a major boost to the town's economy, to support local businesses, relieve congestion and also forms a key part of the wider town centre regeneration: image by Paul Drury-Bradey LDR

placeholder image — A new multi-storey car park in Bridlington has been designed to give a major boost to the town's economy, to support local businesses, relieve congestion and also forms a key part of the wider town centre regeneration: image by Paul Drury-Bradey LDR

“This multi-storey car park marks a major investment in Bridlington and a milestone in the regeneration of this town, and I’m thrilled to be able to open it,” Cllr Handley said.

“We hope by offering the first hour of parking for free, this will not only help local shoppers popping into the town centre for a quick stop but also boost trade for local businesses. I want to thank the architects and the construction team for delivering a truly impressive and high-quality building for this town.”

The car park features 389 standard bays, 31 accessible bays, and six electric vehicle charging points. It operates using ticketless automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, with barriers opening automatically on entry.

Construction on the site presented several engineering challenges due to its location in a conservation area, which required the diversion of the Gypsey Race chalk stream. Engineers spoke of the challenge of keeping the water course live and how the car park needed deep piling on uneven ground.

Designed by Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher and built by HBC Construction, the exterior features wave-inspired twisted fin cladding and an integrated evening light display.

Useful for local people and tourists – boosting Bridlington businesses

The economy of Bridlington is centred around tourism, sea fishing, retail, and healthcare. It attracts around five million visitors every year.

The car park will be a big boost for the Yorkshire coast’s creative offer and popular programme of large-scale events, explained Cllr Nick Coultish, East Riding Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism.

Cllr Anne Handley and Cllr Nick Coultish - pictured at the opening of new multi-storey car park in Bridlington: image by Paul Drury-Bradey LDR

He added: “This car park will, of course, make it easier for residents to use the shops easier every week, all year round. And it will really make things easier for visitors when we host massive events here such as Race The Waves or Bridlington Kite Festival. It will alleviate street parking too, which is an issue for many residents in Bridlington.”

Many social media users expressed their delight at the new facility. One Facebook user said: “Great for the town. I really hope Bridlington Spa customers will be encouraged to park there instead of the nearby streets. As a resident I pay for my permit but can never get parked anywhere near my house when events are on in the Spa. So this is great news.”

Three pedestrian access routes connect the new car park to King Street via Sawmill Yard, Hilderthorpe Road for Bridlington Spa and the harbour, and Beck Hill.

The car park is open daily from 7am to midnight, with charges set at £1.70 per hour between 7am and 6pm following the initial free hour and it is capped at a £2 flat fee in the evening. There will be a £10 charge for overnight stays.