On a recent holiday in Northumberland we drove into a central car park in Alnwick and, attached to the parking machines, was the following notice: ‘Free Parking.

Northumberland County Council gives notice to the pubic that the charging provisions of its off-street car parks in Alnwick, Bamburgh, Beadnell, Berwick (except Berwick Railway Station Car Park), Hexham (except HGV parking in Wentworth Car Park), Morpeth, Rothbury and Wooler will be free of charge from 1st April 2014.

See signage for time limits.

Disc parking will be introduced in Alnwick, Berwick, Hexham and Morpeth short stay car parks’.

What a refreshing change by a local authority.

This is an attractive and popular tourist area. Some of the parks were long stay and ideal if you were visiting a castle, gardens, going for a walk etc.

No constant delving for cash - delightful. I guess the shopkeepers were happy too.

Wouldn’t it be lovely is Cumbria and South Lakeland followed suit?

J.W. Ross

Kendal