Northumberland County Council has decided withdraw the Tynedale Residents Parking Permit from April 2012 thus imposing a £1.50 charge per day for every user. For the many people from Tynedale who come to Tyne Green by car regularly, their costs will be substantial. The charges can be limited by purchasing a Countywide Parking Permit for £110 (£82.10 for over 60s) but for many people this is a significant amount and it is another charge levied on the residents of the former Tynedale Council. It shows contempt for Hexham residence because there was no consultation. But why should we be surprised by this as ‘our’ Council needs administer all of Northumberland hence local views, especially those in Tynedale are not heard. This change arose from the Northumberland Parking Strategy that includes certain Values which are: Strength: - What does this mean? Fairness: - Why does the North and West of Northumberland pay parking charges and the South East does not. Approachability: - No consultation with the people it will affect. Innovation: - Very easy to levy extra charges, without looking at the bigger picture. The Council is big on words but short on facts. The website does not record the expected additional revenue or the adverse effects charging will have on the people of Hexham and the organisations based there such as Tynedale Golf Club and Hexham Rowing Club. Consideration must also be made for the dog walkers who use Tyne Green several times every day and the elderly who simply want an easy flat walk. Briefly, this is a Council decision, pick an easy target and ignore their own values because they only apply when votes are required. What will be the next easy target in the Tynedale area? Please sign the petition to reinstate the Tynedale Residents Parking Permit on Tyne Green.