The UK coronavirus lockdown has left many in and around the Bristol area speculating what is happening regarding traffic fines and parking tickets.
Are council traffic wardens classified as key workers? If you are one of the few Bristolians forced to commute to work amid the pandemic, do you risk getting a ticket?
The Government's definition of key worker includes all local government workers in 'administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response or delivering essential public services'.
It also includes 'Those who will keep air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response'.
By the looks of things traffic wardens will still be out and about on roads in the region, but each council is doing things slightly differently.
The simple answer to avoid getting a parking ticket is, do not park on double yellow lines, do not block any road and do not park in loading bays and bus stops.
However some councils have made the decision to relax some of the rules around parking restrictions.
Bath and North East Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset Council seems to have gone the furthest in relaxing its rules by suspending all council car parking charges (on street and off street).
The authority said it would enable key workers to park without fear of a charge or penalty in permitted parking areas.
A statement on the B&NES website said: “It is in line with national government guidance relating to the three-week closure of non-essential shops and businesses and will be kept under review.
“Enforcement will continue where vehicles are parked in blue badge bays, loading bays, double yellow lines and loading bans to ensure that emergency services, key workers and other priority users can function on the network.”
South Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire Council has said it will be operate a reduced parking enforcement service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A council spokesperson said: “Our priority will be to keep roads open and safe and to protect parking spaces for healthcare workers, volunteers and people supporting those who are ill or self-isolating.
“As long as people park safely and considerately when helping those who are self-isolating they will not receive a parking ticket.”
The authority has also increased 'observation time' to ten minutes for waiting and loading, which includes allowing longer time for food and other essential deliveries to those in isolation, without the need to pay or display a visitor voucher.
Parking spaces in one-hour single yellow line restrictions where commuters might usually park will be relaxed to enable homeworking.
NHS staff and critical key workers will be permitted to use on and off-street parking bays without time restriction or charge.
The council has also said it will seek to relax or reduce the hours of some controlled parking zones around hospitals, clinics and control centres to assist the activities of critical key workers.
Bristol
In Bristol all NHS staff who work at Bristol Royal Infirmary will be able to use Trenchard Street car park for free.
And NHS workers have been told they won’t have to pay a penny for riding on Bristol Community Transport.
But the council has said all other parking restrictions will remain in place across the city
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “We have put in measures for free car parking for NHS staff and need to prioritise spaces for them, but we must make sure everyone in the city parks legally so that roads are clear for everyone, especially the emergency services.
“For this reason, parking restrictions are continuing to operate and will continue to be enforced.
“All vehicles should be parked legally, any payment due should be made and the ticket displayed. If a permit is required to park, one must displayed.
“Where someone feels a penalty charge notice has been issued incorrectly, they have the option to appeal, using the details displayed on the notice.’’
North Somerset
Parking charges in North Somerset are being waived for NHS staff and key workers during the coronavirus outbreak.
Essential workers – such as NHS, social care staff, volunteers and key workers – can now park for free to enable them to carry out their critical work.
This applies to on-street pay and display areas and council-run car parks. They can also park without time limit in areas where it is free but usually time restricted.
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They should put some form of identification in their windscreen to show they are key workers.
In addition, the council is providing free nearby parking for NHS staff attending training at Weston College in the town centre next week.
“We’re asking everyone not to travel unless it’s absolutely essential and to park responsibly because it remains vital that emergency services, delivery drivers and carers visiting vulnerable members of the community can continue to access all areas,” said Cllr Mark Canniford, the council’s executive member responsible for parking.
Dangerous or obstructive parking should be reported to the police.
