Common sense urged as parking fees are scrapped
MOTORISTS are to be allowed to park free of charge during the coronavirus outbreak as councils scale back restrictions and enforcement.
The Daily Telegraph understands that some councils have told wardens not to ticket drivers parked in residentonly bays, urging them instead to adopt a “common-sense” approach to issuing penalties. It comes as councils and hospitals said parking charges would be waived for NHS staff during the pandemic after some healthcare workers complained they were being fined.
Havering Council in east London said drivers without a resident permit would be allowed to park in spaces that would normally attract a penalty.
In response to one motorist who tweeted the authority to ask if he was allowed to park in a residential zone, the council responded: “Yes, if you park in the marked parking bays.
“Please don’t park on yellow lines unless it is at a time that on-street signage says you are permitted to do that. Also, please don’t park across a resident’s driveway unless you have their permission.”
Newham Council in London, in a relaxing of its restrictions, confirmed it would penalise drivers only if they parked in “an obstructive or dangerous way”. Kensington and Chelsea and Caerphilly councils added they would no longer take enforcement action against residents whose parking permits may have expired.
The Telegraph understands that the measures were introduced by councils across the country as part of a widespread move to relax restrictions and in some cases suspend fixed penalties.
According to guidance seen by this newspaper, enforcement action has been generally scaled back in favour of “common-sense judgments” when dealing with resident permits.
Councils may adopt varying approaches depending on the pressures affecting their workforces and rules put in place before the virus outbreak.
Some enforcements will remain for safety reasons, such as councils keeping accesses clear for hospitals and food depots. In Cornwall, the county council said it would suspend parking charges everywhere until the end of April and would re-evaluate the situation monthly. A spokesman said that now was “not the time for anyone to worry about parking charges”.
Cllr Geoff Brown, Cornwall’s transport head, said: “We need residents to stay at home and stay safe. We also want to make it as easy as possible for essential workers to get to and from work, and removing parking charges is
‘We want to make it as easy as possible for essential workers to get to and from work’
one way in which we can support them during this critical time. It is really important, however, that people remember to park considerately and continue to follow government guidance about avoiding any unnecessary travel.”
In Guildford, city-centre car parks were designated as free to use, with refunds on offer for those who had applied for parking permits.
It comes after charges were axed at hospitals following an outcry that doctors and nurses would have to pay to fight coronavirus. Schemes have been introduced to suspend parking charges for health workers, social care workers and NHS volunteers for on-street parking and pay-and-display car parks.
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, confirmed last week that the Government would cover the cost of staff parking “for the duration of Covid-19”.
He said: ‘I will do everything I can to ensure our dedicated staff have whatever they need. So we will provide free car parking for our NHS staff who are going above and beyond every day.
“My enormous gratitude goes out to the many NHS trusts and other organisations already providing free car parking and I urge other trusts to do the same with our backing.”
National Car Parks also confirmed that it would provide NHS staff free parking at all 150 of its car parks operational in England.