Permits for visitors are parked in a cupboard

Residents entitled to cutprice parking permits for visitors in Edinburgh are being refused them – because the council says Covid rules mean they cannot get into the building where they are kept.

Mike Ireland, an office worker from London who regularly uses the permits when he comes up to visit his parents and grandmother in Marchmont, said he was “absolutely astonished” when he was told they were not available and given the reason.

A message on the council’s website says: “We are unable to issue visitors’ permits at this time. To ensure social distancing, we are unable to access council offices where the permit stock is stored.”

Staff in the parking section have been working from home. A council spokeswoman it was hoped a more normal service could be resumed soon.