ALL CAR PARKS AT CITY PARKS CLOSED

ALL car parks at Coventry’s parks will close, Coventry City Council has said.

However the authority said parks will remain open for visitors on foot, despite calls on the weekend from some residents to close them outright.

Coventry City Council pulled in extra staff on the weekend at parks including Coombe Abbey Country Park and the War Memorial to ensure visitors abided by the social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus lockdown.

But their social media post advising visitors to social distance was met by a backlash of anger, with one branding the decision to keep them open as “ridiculous” and another a “disgrace”.

While the council has decided to keep the parks open, car parks closed from midday on Tuesday.

Andrew Walster, the director with responsibility for parks, said: “We’ve wrestled with this decision over the last few days as the vast majority of people have observed social distancing when visiting our parks.

“However, we are really lucky that in Coventry most people live relatively close to a park, woodland or fields.

“This means most people can enjoy a walk in their local area without the need to get in a car and travel.

“We have always said we would constantly review the situation, make changes if needed and continue to respond to national guidance alongside local knowledge.

“To stress, all of our parks remain open to people visiting on foot. I’d also like to thank people for their continued support and sensible approach when enjoying our parks and open spaces.”

Nationally some council’s have taken the decision to close their parks.

However councils have been urged to keep parks open unless it is “impossible” to adhere to social distancing guidelines, the government has said.

The communities secretary Robert Jenrick reacted to criticism after thousands of people flocked to parks over the weekend in the warm weather despite the coronavirus lockdown.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Mr Jenrick said it was the decision of local councils on whether parks should be closed and has already spoken to “a number” of authorities who decided to close over the weekend.

He said: “This is their decision, but I have asked them to be very judicious in taking that step and only do that where they feel it is impossible to maintain social distancing rules within their parks and open spaces.

“That really is an absolute last resort and should be because we want people to be able to go out and have exercise.”

The Local Government Association has also warned those who are flouting social distancing guidelines must ‘change their behaviour.’

Cllr Gerald Vernon-jackson, chair of the LGA’S Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, which represents councils in England, said: “This is a national emergency and the minority of people who do not adhere to the guidance need to change their behaviour to keep us all safe.

“Councils are constantly monitoring the situation regarding our parks.

“Councils know that parks are a lifeline for residents needing to get some exercise or fresh air and are great for physical and mental wellbeing.

“This is why councils want to keep parks open, but people need to follow the social distancing advice, otherwise councils will be reluctantly forced to close them as a last resort to help prevent the coronavirus spreading.”