London Councils agree common sense parking approach

Boroughs in the capital will help NHS staff and other critical workers by taking a common sense approach to parking and driving fines.

Reduced public transport as a result of government measures to tackle the coronavirus outbreak means that key workers are more likely to drive to their place of work or to visit people in the community. At the same time, the vast majority of Londoners are staying at home, leading to increased parking in residential areas.

In response to this, London Councils has issued guidance for London boroughs on a pragmatic approach to enforcement of parking and driving offences during the coronavirus pandemic. As such, parking teams will now focus on enforcement of safety-critical controls and assisting key workers helping unwell and vulnerable people.

This could include: relaxing parking restrictions for vital members of staff around hospitals, clinics and emergency services control centres - e.g. no time limit and no charge; giving parking permits to key workers allowing them to park more flexibly if there are no parking spaces available; taking into account when drivers demonstrate they are key workers, e.g. when deciding whether to issue a penalty charge notice or when a driver is appealing a penalty; and making additional parking spaces available to key workers - e.g. business parking.

Julian Bell, chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said: “NHS staff, the emergency services, carers and community volunteers are leading the fight against coronavirus in the capital and we are all incredibly proud of the work they are doing. The last thing they need is anxiety caused by trying to find a safe place to park.

“That’s why London boroughs are united in taking a pragmatic approach to parking enforcement in these challenging times to help our critical workers do their jobs. All key workers using cars or other vehicles to get around can be reassured that borough parking teams are on their side. We ask that they look to their local council to find out what this means for them.”