Hartlepool
On 29th September 2006 Hartlepool Borough Council provided a spreadsheet containing car park information (updated 8 April 2008, see below). This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here.
The Council also provided the following information:
I have attached a list of car parks (either pay and display or free) which gives much of the detail you require. (bay number, tariffs, height restrictions etc.)
I would say that we do not have a parking site that is specifically set up for motor homes, HGV's etc. None of the car parks have washing or dedicated public toilet facilities, although in some cases there are some toilets within close proximity.
None of the bays in the pay and display sites are specifically large enough to accommodate a vehicle / caravan unit and it is a requirement of the order that vehicles park correctly within a bay. In general the bays are 4.8M *2.4M and this may even struggle to accommodate large motorhomes.
I normally suggest to visitors they use the Seaton Coach Park site as this can accommodate large vehicles. There are no charges made for a stay, although the site does close on an evening and is locked to prevent any overnight stay. The site is open dawn until dusk and closure times therefore vary during seasons.
Alternatively there are several areas of unregulated on street parking provision available through out the borough.
I would also advise you that all the car parks covered by off street parking orders, do have conditions of use which prevent the use of the car park for the hire,sale advertising of articles skills or services, and further prevent maintaining or repairing a vehicle or use of a vehicle for sleeping, camping, cooking or eating.
On 8th April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council confirmed that the information above was still current and added:
Alternatively unregulated parking is available at Hartlepool Maritime experience and there are several areas of unregulated on street parking provision available throughout the borough.
Hartlepool council has parking details for the borough on its web site.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Hartlepool Marina. Recently used car park at Hartlepool Marina (Cleveland) over bank holiday weekend. North side fine for parking in motorhome, taking 2 bays did not seem to be considered a problem and plenty of people use cars to sit and eat food so no problem for motorhomes.Get there before 12 or after 2 as does fill up quick. (Many thanks to WC for this information, received on 25 March 2008).
North Gare car park. The North Gare car park is free and gives access the Teesmouth National Nature Reserve and the Blue Lagoon beach. You can walk along the long flat beach into Seaton Carew (about 1 mile) and from there along the promenade that connects with Hartlepool Marina (although this is about another 3 mile each way hike). Latitude: 54.645842465955695; Longitude: -1.1759018898010254.
(Many thanks to RG for this information, received on 22 March 2007).
Seaton Carew. 11 September 2007. We went for a day out and used the coach park recommended by the council. Right next to the beach with views of Hartlepool to the north and ships going in and out of the Tees to the south. It is also possible to park up on the seaward side of The Front but probably best to approach from the north to do that.
Middlesbrough
On 7th September 2006 Middlesbrough Borough Council provided a copy of the Council's latest car park plan that shows all the parking facilities in Middlesbrough Town Centre. This can be accessed (.pdf file download) from the car parks page on Middlesbrough Council's web site using the link below.
The Council also provided the following information:
The height and weight limits for most Council car parks are 2.1 metres and 3,045 kilograms except as detailed below:
Cleveland Centre Car Park, 2.1 m and 2,032 kg
Captain Cook Square Multi-Storey Car Park, 2.1 m and 2,500 kg
Zetland Multi-Storey Car Park, 1.9m and 2,000 kg
Buxton Street, Wood Street, Gurney Street and France Street surface car parks have no height limit.
There is a dedicated coach/lorry park at Cannon Park (No. 5 on the plan).
Vehicles must be parked within a marked bay if possible. If a vehicle requires 2 bays an additional pay and display ticket must be purchased.
There are toilet facilities in the Captain Cook Square and Zetland multi-storey car parks, however there are no waste disposal facilities for motor homes in any of the town centre car parks.
Town centre car parks are not to be used for the purpose of sleeping or camping or cooking.
All the car parks which can accommodate motor homes are clearly accessible.
On 17th April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council stated that the above information was correct with the following amendments:
Cleveland Centre car park (not suitable for motorhomes) is now known as The Mall and is no longer operated by the council.
There is a new 38 space short stay car park at MIMA which has no height limits.
There are other facilities outside the town centre as follows:
Controlled by Transport and Design department: Parkway Centre Car Parks - 2.1m height limit, 3 tonne weight limit. (Free); Binks Street Car Park, Linthorpe Village - no height or weight limit (Free); Transporter Bridge Car Park - 2.1m height limit, 3 tonne weight limit. (Free); Eastbourne Road Shops - no height or weight limit (Free).
Off-street daytime parking controlled by Parks and Countryside department: Pallister Park (free); Bluebell Beck (free - off Mandale Road); Hemlington Lake (free); Stewart Park (free - gets locked on a night); Newham Grange Farm (admission charge to the farm- gets locked on a night).
The council has further information on its web site here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
July 2006. Town centre car parks - Don't even think about it, the place isn't even really car friendly never mind motor homes.
Parkway Centre, Coulby Newham. The car park at the south east (near the Cathedral) has 2.1m height restrictors and the older south west one (near the main centre buildings) has restricted space but those on the north side (by Tesco) and the south west (near Focus, Halfords etc.) have no restrictions. Shopping centre has several smaller shops and a Tesco fuel garage as well.
Redcar & Cleveland
On 30th August 2006 Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions. We have no height restrictions on any of our car parks or parking places.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines (including any requirement for purchasing two parking tickets where the length of a vehicle means that it overhangs a second bay at its rear). If a vehicle did park in two smaller parking bays it would need two pay and display tickets on show (one for each bay the vehicle has parked within).
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. We do not offer any waste disposal services for the use of motorhomes and caravans. The Fountain street toilets in Guisborough are only open in Summer months (April to September) between the hours of 7.30am and 7pm every day. The nearest toilet facilities to Majuba Car Park in Redcar are at the Boating Lake area of Coatham Enclosure. These toilets are open summer months (April to September) between 8.30am and 5pm everyday.There are also toilets along the Esplanade at the Tourist Information centre and at the rear of the Lifeboat station on Moore Street.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans. At present we have two car parks in Redcar & Cleveland that can accommodate motorhomes and caravans. These are located on Fountain Street East Car Park in Guisborough (the coach park area which is specifically for coaches, lorries and larger than normal vehicles) and Majuba Road Car Park in Redcar, which has a large section dedicated to coaches, lorries, motorhomes etc. Both have bay markings to distinguish between normal and larger bays.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. The Majuba Road Car Park is normally used for vehicles staying overnight. The charges for pay and display stop at 18.00 hours each evening and we do not have a ban on any of our pay and display locations which would prevent vehicles from parking in them overnight.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. Both the dedicated car parks that can be accessed by this type of larger vehicle have roads and entrances that are suitable for manoeuvring motorhomes.
Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council has further parking details on its web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Birk Brow. Free car park on the A171 Whitby road, on the edge (literally) of the North Yorkshire Moors, just before the road drops down to Guisborough or if you are going the other way at the top of the bank. Great views of Teesside. Latitude: 54.52476774419576; Longitude: -0.9840488433837891.
(Many thanks to RG for this information, received on 22 March 2007).
Kirkleatham
2 August 2007. Kirkleatham Old Hall has a Museum and an Owl Centre as well as a playground and picnic area. There is easy parking for motorhomes in the area immediately on the left after going through the gates.
Redcar
12 May 2007. Morrisons car park is not very motorhome friendly. There are a limited number of open-air ground floor spaces but manoeuvring will probably be difficult for large vehicles. Access to the under-cover ground floor spaces and the roof-top car park is subject to an 8 feet 10 inch height restriction.
Stockton on Tees
On 14th September 2006 Stockton on Tees Borough Council provided the information below. On 13th March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the information was still current.
The Council can only reply with regard to parking areas controlled by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. There are other parking areas, such as shopping centres and leisure parks, but the Council does not hold sufficient information on them.
The position with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's car parks is that they are, in the main, provided for use by visitors to town centres for business, shopping or employment purposes. They do not lend themselves to motorhome occupancy and many have prohibitions on use for overnight sleeping.
Nevertheless:
1 Bath Lane North and Alberto Street parks have height restrictions denying access to motor homes.
2 Vehicles must park within bay markings. Purchasing 2 tickets for 2 bays is not permitted.
3 There are no toilet or waste disposal facilities within the confines of any car park.
4 There are no spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes or caravans.
5 Overnight parking is allowed, but not for sleeping purposes.
6 There are no undue width restrictions to a motorhome in the car parks.
Stockton on Tees council has parking details for the borough on its web site.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
(1) July 2006. Teesside Park Retail Park - no height restrictions. Several large shops (including Morrisons fuel garage), fast food outlets and leisure park. This is very close to the White Water Park Caravan Club site.
(2) July 2006. Thornaby New Town Centre - no height restrictions in the main car park by Asda and local shops, nor in the overflow car park behind Asda. The main car park can get a bit crowded and difficult for manoeuvring a large vehicle, especially on Thursday (market day), so I tend to use the overflow.
(3) May 2007. Stockton Asda, Portrack Lane - no height restrictions in the car park or the fuel station. Note that payment for fuel is by credit/debit card only. Card must be swiped before filling. The one time I used it I was unable to obtain a receipt.
(4) Billingham Beck Country Park. Free car park for the Billingham Beck Country Park just off the A19, between Billingham and Norton. Good site for a picnic, a walk around the park or feeding the ducks. Open 8.30am to 4pm, I believe the gates are locked at other times. Bus stop not far away. Latitude: 54.59848501093429; Longitude: -1.2994766235351562.
Wynyard Woodland Park, Thorpe Thewles. Free car park for the Wynyard Woodland Park (formerly the Castle Eden Walkway) off the A177. Good site for a picnic or a walk along the former Castle Eden railway. The Visitor Centre is home to the Gift Shop and Farm Shop and also the Tea Rooms. The park also has a Planetarium, where you can get a virtual simulation of everything on display in the heavens above, and an Observatory, where you can actually view the night sky with your own eyes through one of the largest telescopes in the North of England. There is a children's play area as well. Bus stop in the car park. Latitude: 54.611249121015206; Longitude: -1.376638412475586.
Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park. Free car park for the Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park just off the A1185 from the A19 or A689. Good site for a picnic, a walk around the park or feeding the ducks. The car park closes at dusk (?). Latitude: 54.621748236120055; Longitude: -1.2590932846069336.
Billingham Forum. Free parking all day, best parking is around the back, sometimes very busy but can usually get in. Perfect for the sports facilities in the Forum (swimming pool, ice rink, theatre, etc) or shopping in Billingham town centre. All of my observations were made midweek, I wouldn't dream of going out anywhere on a weekend in this country, even in the car. Latitude: 54.607061144339674; Longitude: -1.2875032424926757.
Preston Hall Museum. Free car park for Preston Hall Museum, usually quite empty during the week but has overflow car parks when busy. You can visit the Museum, let the young ones play in the play grounds, visit Butterfly World, there is some wildlife to see, or you can walk down to the river and feed the ducks. You can also get a bus from outside the park into Yarm. Gates locked on a night. Latitude: 54.535170884242014; Longitude: -1.340932846069336.
Stockton White Water Course. Free parking all day, on the banks of the River Tees, adjacent to the Tees Barrage and white water canoeing / rafting course. Hotel and pub handy, 1.5 miles riverside walk to Stockton centre. Teesside Park 1 mile, with shops, restaurants, multi-screen cinema and bowling alley. Latitude: 54.56667540647262; Longitude: -1.286451816558838.
(Many thanks to RG for this information, received on 21 March 2007).
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Last updated: 17 April 2008