Car parks on the coast closed

Seafront car parks have been closed indefinitely to deter motorists from making “unnecessary journeys” to the beach during the coronavirus outbreak.

Sunderland City Council announced the decision on Saturday morning in anticipation of warmer weather at the weekend and the upcoming Easter holiday weekend.

Car parks at all public parks will also be shut seven days a week with all closures lasting “for the foreseeable future”.

The council has taken the measure – which follows initial restrictions introduced at Herrington County Park on Friday – after “issues with a large number of people driving to parks and the city’s beaches”.

It has also had reports of children meeting in play areas which are already closed.

Fiona Brown, the council's executive director of neighbourhoods, said: "Our parks and beaches all remain open.

“However, we are taking this action to discourage people from travelling to them by car in line with Government advice that people should not be making unnecessary journeys.

"Although most residents have been acting very responsibly, there have been issues with a large number of people driving to parks and the city’s beaches.

“We have also had reports that some children have been using the play areas.

“No one should be doing at the moment because all play areas are currently closed due to the need for social distancing to minimise the risk of the virus spreading.

"With warmer weather forecast at the weekend and Easter weekend we know people will be tempted to head to the beaches and parks.

“And there have been concerns across the region about groups gathering in parks and beaches, making it very difficult to observe the social-distancing rules.

“So we think now is the right time to take this action.

"It's very important that we all follow the Government's stay at home restrictions which have been brought in to protect the NHS and save lives.

“Government advice is that while exercise is important, people should stay local and use the open spaces near their home where possible.

“They shouldn't be travelling unnecessarily."

The Harbour View car park, at Roker, and all seafront car parks in Sunderland will be closed seven days a week alongside all car parks at public parks.