MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
RECORD OF DECISION OF THE Director of Regeneration and Place
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Decision Made: |
07 April 2020 |
Changes to Civil Parking Enforcement
Decision Made
Changes to Civil Parking
Enforcement as a result of guidance from the Local Government Association and
the British Parking Association in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
That the traffic regulation orders in relation to resident parking bays and
single yellow lines where waiting time is restricted for 30 minutes, are not enforced
to support residents and business until 1 July 2020.
That resident parking permits and business permits are valid in off-street car
parks to ease on-street parking demand until 1 July 2020.
That free parking concessions are applied in all off-street car parks to
provide parking for NHS and Social Care workers.
That the car parks at Mote Park, Cobtree Park and Lockmeadow are closed to
facilitate public social distancing in line with Government guidelines.
Reasons for Decision
The Covid-19 outbreak has led
to a significant increase in residential home working and cases of
self-isolation.
Although it remains important to ensure that yellow line restrictions are
controlled in residential areas to ensure safe parking and traffic flow for
emergency vehicles and waste collection, it has become necessary to review
restrictions placed in resident parking areas to support local residents and
business during this period of high parking demand up until 1 July 2020.
This decision is in line with guidance from the Local Government Association
and the British Parking Association in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
In addition to these concessions and following an announcement by Secretary of
State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, local councils in England
have been instructed to provide free car parking for NHS staff and social care
workers in off-street car parks during the coronavirus outbreak.
Social distancing measures announced by the Government have also led to car park
closures Mote Park, Cobtree Park and Lockmeadow.
Alternatives considered and why rejected
Civil parking enforcement operations can continue as defined with Traffic Regulation Orders; however, this would not recognise the significant impact on residents and businesses caused as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Details of the Committee
The decision has been taken in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee.