Parking charges are being reintroduced in Bath and North East Somerset - but NHS staff and carers will be exempt.
The Government has launched a new digital parking that eligible workers and volunteers can get through their employers to park for free, with no time limits, when undertaking official duties.
Bath and North East Somerset Council paused parking charges on March 25 due to the coronavirus crisis, taking a massive hit to its finances.
With attractions like the Roman Baths closed, it expects to lose £30million in income over the next year and faces a £50million deficit.
Parking charges will resume on Monday, May 4, in its car parks and on-street bays, and residents will also need a valid permit if using residents’ parking bays.
Councillor Joanna Wright, joint cabinet member for Transport Services, said: “At the moment it’s important to make parking as easy as possible for NHS and health and social care workers who need to use their cars for work purposes.
“I welcome the national parking permit scheme as it will make life easier for people carrying out essential services.
“I’d encourage workers who think they are eligible to speak to their employers straight away.
“We are also reintroducing parking charges in the district after a temporary pause so I would urge people to check that they are using our car parks and permitted bays correctly.”
Permits are available to NHS staff members, health or social care workers and NHS Volunteer Responders.
On-street parking places where it can be used are limited to pay and display bays, limited waiting bays and permit holder bays and zones.
The permit should be displayed clearly in windscreens.
The council is reminding drivers that no one is allowed to park on footways, verges, school or pedestrian crossing zig-zags, bus stops, taxi ranks, clearways, single yellow line waiting restrictions, double yellow lines, single/double yellow lines with kerb markings, or loading bays.
More information on the national parking permit scheme can be found online here.
