Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell has joined local businesses and local residents against proposals by North Tyneside Council to massively increase car-parking charges in local town centres. The local Chamber's of Trade in Whitley Bay and North Shields have condemned the proposed increases which would see many changes for car-parking double in the new year. Local MP Alan Campbell has backed their campaign saying the increases would deter people from coming into town centres to shop and use local facilities.

In a letter to North Tyneside's Conservative Mayor, Chris Morgan, Alan Campbell says if promises to regenerate town centres are to be more than empty words then changes like increased charges for parking must be avoided.

Alan Campbell says:

"This is a bad idea coming from the council. It is made worse by confusion as to whether the charges will be implemented or not. Local businesses and local residents are against these massive increases and the council must think again."