A new car park in Newcastle town centre is opening to serve residents, shoppers, workers and visitors – both now and well into the future.

Castle car park – which replaces the ageing Midway – opens its doors to the public for the first time at 7am on Friday, 24 January and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The modern five-storey building, based on part of the Ryecroft site on Liverpool Road, includes 472 spaces – including 19 for motorcycles – and 39 electric vehicle charging points which will be fully operational from next week.

Other amenities include automated main doors, energy-efficient lighting, 11 disability spaces on lower levels and lifts and ramps enabling full accessibility. The variable stay, pay-on-return car park is surrounded by trees and hedgerows, "boosting the biodiversity of the area" according to a borough council release. 

Motorists will be able to easily enter and exit the car park via Ryecroft on the A52 – coming from the Jubilee2 roundabout initially – or Church Street. People leaving using the Church Street route will first turn into Corporation Street, followed by Merrial Street.

The machines will be able to accept cash and card payments with the full list of parking charges for Castle Car Park available at the bottom of this article. 

Cllr. Stephen Sweeney, Cabinet member for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, said: “I’m pleased that Castle Car Park is opening. It’s clean, modern, safe and well-lit – a major upgrade from the outdated Midway – which will significantly improve people’s town centre experience and support the local economy day and night, both now and in years to come.

“But this is more than just a car park; it’s a vital addition to help secure Newcastle town centre’s future sustainability as a thriving place for everyone. Providing enhanced infrastructure like this underpins the council’s current regeneration which will draw different groups of people into the area.”

The Midway car park will close for the final time at 7pm on Thursday, 23 January as preparations begin to convert the building into 100 apartments, including a stunning three-floor atrium. Meanwhile, the Ryecroft surface car park closes at 6am on Friday, 24 January.

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Castle Car Park Opening Times and Parking Charges 

Days and hours of operation

Monday to Sunday, 24 hours. Maximum waiting period 24 hours.

Charging days and hours

• Up to 1 hour - £1.20

• Up to 2 hours - £2.30

• Up to 3 hours - £3.50

• Up to 4 hours - £4.70

• Up to 24 hours - £6.60

Other charges

• Season ticket, per quarter - £172

• Monthly ticket - £65

• Overnight quarterly permit (valid 8pm to 8am) - £66

• Bank holiday and event parking - £1.20

• Evening charge (8pm to 8am the following morning) - £1.50