Members of Berwick Town Council wish to see car parking restored to the part-pedestrianised area of Marygate.

However, it was claimed that only Coun Brian Douglas has pressed these views at Northumberland County Council, with little support forthcoming from Coun Isabel Hunter and Coun Jim Smith.

The issue of town centre parking was raised once again at a meeting of Berwick Town Council's environment and regeneration committee on Monday.
Coun Clive Routledge described the current situation as 'chaotic'.

"All it takes is a few vehicles illegally parked in the so-called loading bays and it's chaos, yet we have heard nothing from the county council."

Committee chairman, Coun John Robertson, said highways officials at County Hall did not view the restoration of parking in Marygate as a priority due to a lack of member support for such a scheme.

"Only Coun Douglas has given his support," he said.

However, Coun Robertson said there had been some support from county councillors from outwith Berwick regarding the town's car parking plight.

Coun Routledge responded: "It was the vote of the town council that we try to get parking reinstated in Marygate.

"Are two of our members refusing to support the decision of the town council?"

Coun Robertson replied: "We, as a town council, have very strong feelings as to what should happen in Marygate. We have to influence the county council to make it a priority."

Coun Jennifer Waterhouse suggested that the issue be tabled at a forthcoming meeting of Northumberland County Council's northern area committee - a move which was supported by the committee.

Coun Robertson said the 1000-name petition which had been gathered in support of reintroducing parking in Marygate should also be highlighted to the area committee.

Contacted after the meeting, both Coun Hunter and Coun Smith agreed that the parking situation in Marygate was problematic.

"It is horrendous, but it is part of a bigger review of car parking," said Coun Hunter.

"We are looking at what is going to be the right thing for Berwick."
Coun Smith said he had raised the issue of illegal parking in the centre of the town at County Hall in the past.

But he added: "Part pedestrianisation was carried out at the request of the former Berwick Borough Council, but I don't see any problem with revisiting the issue."

Both county councillors said raising the issue at a future meeting of the area committee was the best way for the town council to progress.