I collected my daughter from Newcastle late this evening, there being no connecting service on to Cramlington or Newcastle at this time. I struggled to find the new road access to the station car park and had to drive round the one-way system a few times before I got it. But more positively, the first 15 minutes parking is now free – an excellent initiative helping those just dropping off and picking up. The signage doesn’t work though. Bold notices saying a) 15 minutes parking free and b) you must buy a ticket. I was so confused I asked the Supervisor whether it was free or not. He told me you must buy a ticket for nothing. Go up to the machine, press the button, but don’t put any money it, and out comes 15 minutes of parking. Am I stupid? He thought not. Apparently not a single passenger has been able to decipher these notices, most either putting a £1 coin in for their “free” parking, or getting a penalty notice for thinking they didn’t need to display a ticket.
