Parking charges to return as shops start to reopen

COMMUTERS AND shoppers across North Yorkshire should get ready to pay for their parking again from next week.

Council bosses have confirmed that charges at the county’s car parks, as well as on the street, will be brought back in when shops reopen on Monday. All charges were suspended in March to support key workers.

NHS staff, health or social care workers and NHS volunteer responders will still be able to park for free, as long as they display their NHS permit or another valid form of evidence.

Coun Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council’s Executive Member for Access, said the council is ending the suspension for most motorists for safety reasons. “At any time, parking enforcement is an essential tool in helping to manage traffic flow to provide ease of access for all road users,” he said.

“As our towns open up it is important to manage traffic and to support the emergency active travel measures implemented to enable pedestrians and cyclists to maintain social distancing.”

Harrogate Borough Council said revenue lost from car park ticket sales would be around £250,000 per month during lockdown, however, the authority is now preparing to gear up for shops reopening and an easing of restrictions.

On-street parking restrictions are enforced on behalf of the county council by Scarborough Borough Council in the Hambleton, Ryedale, Richmondshire, and Scarborough areas and by Harrogate Borough Council in the Craven, Harrogate and Selby areas.

In the run-up to June 15, warning notices will be issued to motorists with expired permits and those contravening the regulations.