Annual Parking Report 2023 to 2024

The Safer Parking (or "Park Mark") Scheme is managed by the British Parking Association in conjunction with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The scheme was introduced by the Government in order to promote more safe and secure parking facilities all over the country. 

Higher security standards reduce crime and the fear of crime. To be awarded a "Park Mark", car parks must be independently judged to have achieved these standards. Owners and operators must meet a stringent set of standards, including good design and management and provide an effective level of security and lighting. 

Over 1,120 car parks in the UK currently hold Park Mark status, and both operators and users have seen the benefits of increased security within car parks. In recognition of our investment in security and car park management, Gateshead Council currently holds ten of these prestigious awards. 
The public car parks in the borough that have attained the Park Mark Award are: 

• Church Street Car Park
• Civic Centre Car Park
• Cross Keys Car Park 
• Heworth North (Long Stay) Car Park
• Lowrey's Lane Car Park
• Quarryfield Road Car Park
• Swinburne Street Car Park
• Whickham Long Stay Car Park
• Whickham Short Stay Car Park
• Wrekenton Centre Car Park

Subject to cost pressures, which are particularly great at present, the Council will continue to strive to ensure that all public car parks under its control are brought up to the standards set out in the Park Mark scheme.

On street parking bays

We operate a number of on street parking bays throughout the Borough. Charges apply in some of these, but some of them are free. Those locations where charges are applied are shown below. These charges will normally be higher than the equivalent rate in any neighbouring off street car parks. Areas which are designed to have a higher turnover of vehicles may expect to have a higher level of enforcement to encourage this. The majority of these locations have a maximum stay period in operation.