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Fines at Seaham's Terrace Green car park will not be refunded

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By Bill Edgar Local Democracy Reporter
The county council was previously accused of "illegally" charging motorists to park along a section of the County Durham coast in a car park partly covered by a covenant. <i>(Image: Sarah Caldecott)</i>
The county council was previously accused of "illegally" charging motorists to park along a section of the County Durham coast in a car park partly covered by a covenant. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)
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Parking fines issued at a County Durham car park will not be refunded despite a council removing charges after a land dispute. 

Ticket machines have been removed from a section of the Seaham Terrace Green car park after residents revealed that part of the land near the Tommy statue was covered by a covenant prohibiting visitors from paying. 

Durham County Council introduced parking charges at car parks along the East Durham coast on April 1, 2024, but has now made some bays available free of charge. 

The county council was previously accused of illegally charging motorists to park along a section of the County Durham coast in a car park partly covered by a covenant.The county council was previously accused of illegally charging motorists to park along a section of the County Durham coast in a car park partly covered by a covenant. (Image: The Northern Echo) June Watson, Seaham Mayor and county councillor for Dawdon, said: “People parking in the bays next to the Green can’t be charged because it was gifted to the public from Lord Londonderry so the land would be free. Durham County Council decided to introduce parking charges, but little did they know, there was a clause.”

The authority was previously accused of illegally charging motorists, but officials said the move was "entirely lawful".

Mark Jackson, head of transport and contract services, previously said: “Full consultation was carried out, as required by the act, and the existence of a covenant between two third parties, relating to land outwith our ownership, was not raised during this process.”

But now, despite calls from residents to reimburse those fined while parking at the site, the council said motorists will not receive their money back. 

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Elizabeth Scott, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “The parking charges at Terrace Green were introduced in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, and any fines issued since they were brought in last April will therefore not be reimbursed.

“However, we have since agreed with Seaham Town Council that charges can be removed from the bays on its land.

“Payment machines have now been removed from the areas of the car park which are no longer subject to charges. Permanent signs, advising motorists of the free parking, have also been installed in the same areas in place of temporary ones. Charges continue to apply for the rest of Terrace Green car park in accordance with the traffic order.”

Visitors are charged £1 per hour or £3 all day to park at the following sites: 

  • Seaham Hall Beach 

  • Vane Tempest

  • Terrace Green

  • Seaham Marina

  • Dock Top

  • Noses Point 

  • Crimdon Beach (from Thursday, March 20)

 

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