Durham County Council has apologised for any confusion after their signs on seven seafront parking changes have been changed.

Parking charges for motorists have now been in use in car parks up and down Seaham and the Durham coast since April 15.

Original signs which were erected days before the charges were introduced laid out rules stating those who parked up would be subject to paying £1 an hour.

The updated sign at Seaham's Terrace Green Car Park.The updated sign at Seaham's Terrace Green Car Park. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The now amended signs in seven car parks along the seafront include a £2 option to park for up to two hours - when previously the sign stated £1 per hour or £3 to park all day.

The council has since apologised for any confusion following the slight change as the option to park for two hours was available before.

A Durham County Council spokesperson said: "The parking charges introduced at seven locations in Seaham are £1 per hour or £3 for the day, meaning visitors who wish to stay for up two hours are able to pay £2 at the machine or via the app.

"We recognise that this could have been made clearer on the signage and have updated the signs at each location accordingly. We apologise for any confusion this may have caused."

The charges themselves have been a divisive issue for many including businesses since they were introduced.

More recently, a petition was launched by business owners to scrap the charges - as they claim the charges have been negatively impacting trade.

As of July, it has more than 2,200 signatures.

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Durham County Council last month confirmed it is aware of the petition.

Mark Jackson, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “The new charges are limited to seven locations and people can still park for free in numerous other sites around Seaham town centre, all of which are a short distance from the seafront.

“Our teams have been working in Seaham since the charges came in, looking out for any parking and traffic issues which may arise, and will continue to make regular visits.”