Charges suspended in council car parks

STAFF REPORTER

Parking charges in council car parks have been suspended amid the coronavirus outbreak.

South Lanarkshire Council took the decision on Tuesday (March 24) to waive fees and enforcement for the foreseeable future, while debt recovery services have also been suspended.

Car parks run by the council will remain open after Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced a raft of new measures to further restrict the movement of people in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

The council have urged drivers to “park sensibly and safely”while warning that“dangerous or inappropriate parking”would make drivers liable for a fine.

Posting on their website, South Lanarkshire Council said:“Parking charges and routine enforcement have been temporarily suspended across South Lanarkshire.

“Deliveries and car parks must continue to operate safely - any dangerous or inappropriate parking will be dealt with sensitively but in the normal manner. “Please park sensibly and safely. “Debt recovery has also been suspended at this time, however if you have a previously agreed payment plan you should continue to make payments as normal.

“We are unable to answer your calls in person. If your call is about paying a previously issued Penalty Charge Notice please follow the instructions on the back of the ticket.

“If your enquiry is about anything else please email parking.unit@ southlanarkshire.gov.uk or write to us at PO Box 26275, Hamilton, ML3 0WX.”

The move to change parking charges across the region comes just over 24 hours after new parking arrangements were brought in at Council HQ to provide extra support for the NHS’s Douglas Street Clinic.