LATEST PARKING NEWS - Last updated 30th January 2012  

Park Mark Safer Parking Awards 
All ten of the Council's main town centre car parks have passed their annual review by the Safer Parking Scheme Assessors and have been awarded Park Mark Safer Parking Awards for a further 12 months. These Government supported awards are granted to car parks that are managed and maintained in a way that minimises the opportunities for crime and creates a safe and secure parking environment for customers.

2011/2012 has been another record low year for car crime in the Council's car parks with only 3 reported incidents throughout the entire year to date. This continues the trend of falling car crime levels in recent years with only 5 reported incidents in 2010/2011. During this time the car parks have been used by over 1 million vehicles. The virtual eradication of car crime in Council operated car parks is all the more remarkable given overall crime levels across the town.

Gresham Residents Parking Scheme 
A new residents parking scheme (Zone P) will be in operation in the Gresham area from Monday 23rd January 2012. The purpose of the scheme is to remove commuter and university parking from this area to allow residents and business owners to park close to their homes and premises. Any resident/visitor/business wanting to park in Zone P for longer than 45 minutes during the hours of operation will need to display a valid permit. Vehicles parked without a permit may be issued a Penalty Charge Notice.     

Gurney Street Night Park - Town Hall Classical Concerts 
A patrolled night park will be available in the Gurney Street Car Park for the following Classical Concerts. The Night Park will operate and be patrolled from 6pm until approximately 10:30pm. The charge is £1.20 and motorists must purchase a ticket from the ticket machine.   

Thursday 9 February 2012 - Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra
Tuesday 6 March 2012 - Northern Sinfonia
Wednesday 23 May 2012 - Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday 13 June 2012 - Hallé

Changes to Middlesbrough House Opening Hours
The Middlesbrough House Contact Centre will now open later at 10am on Wednesdays. The Contact Centre provides a customer access point for a range of Council Services including Parking. The opening hours from Wednesday the 7th September 2011 will be 8:30am to 4:30pm on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday. 10am until 4:30pm on Wednesday and 8:30am until 4:00pm on Friday (closed on bank holidays). 

Electric Vehicle Charging Posts Installed 
Electric vehicle charging posts have been installed at Captain Cook Square Car Park (located on lower level 0) and Zetland Car Park (located on level 1). There is one charging post in each car park and each post has two charging points allowing two vehicles to be charged at the same time. The charging points have been installed as part of the national ‘Plugged In Places’ programme which aims to create the infrastructure needed to support the growth of electric vehicles. 

Teesside University Park and Ride
A free Park and Ride service for students/staff attending Teesside University is now in operation during term time. The bus provided by the University will operate from the Cannon Park Way Car Park between 8am until 6pm. To use the Park and Ride a permit needs to be obtained from the University.

Report Blue Badge Misuse On-line
The Council is keen to ensure that the Blue Badge Scheme provides the intended parking provisions to blue badge holders and seeks to prevent the misuse of badges. Use of a blue badge by a person other than the badge holder is a criminal offence and can lead to £1,000 fine. Suspected misuse of a blue badge can now be reported on-line by clicking on the following link, you do not have to give your name and contact details. Report Blue Badge Misuse

Patrol Annual Accounts
The Council is a member of the Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London (PATROL) Adjudication Joint Committee. The Joint Committee publishes an Annual Statement of Accounts which is subject to External Audit follow the link for the arrangements and timetable for 2010/11: Annual Statement of Accounts