South Tyneside Council scraps charges at car parks - this is what's happening to parking enforcement officers

All on and off-street parking charges in public car parks in the borough have been removed to help key workers and those supporting vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis.

South Tyneside Council has announced it has stopped enforcement in its car parks and parking attendants will be redeployed to help other teams in the organisation.

The move comes after traffic wardens were spotted patrolling empty streets in South Shields last week, despite the government putting a stop to all but ‘essential’ travel.

Since Monday, March 23 the UK has been on lockdown with only those who have essential jobs allowed to travel to work.

Civil Enforcement Officers were pictured in an empty Pier Head car park on South Shields seafront on Friday, March 27.

The council has said that parking enforcement teams will continue to stop illegal parking on yellow lines that prevents access for emergency services or essential home deliveries.

Disabled parking and electric charging bays will also be enforced.

Coun Joan Atkinson, lead member for area management and community safety, said: “We appreciate the vital work NHS staff, other key workers and volunteers are doing at this extremely difficult time, and will support them in any way we can to be able to care for our residents.

“That’s why we want to make it as easy as possible for people to get to and from work, or around the borough if they are delivering supplies. People shouldn’t have to worry about parking charges or finding a space when they are contributing so much to our communities and the fight against this pandemic.

The move is intended to help those making essential journeys and others are urged to follow the guidance and stay at home whenever possible.

Coun Atkinson added: “In line with government guidance, we’d urge anyone else, to stay at home and only make journeys if they are absolutely essential.”

Ticket machines have been emptied and covered until further notice.

Parking permits will be extended to cover the period of suspension.

For further information about what support is available visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/coronavirus

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