Parking changes during Covid-19 crisis
On-street parking restrictions are being eased throughout St Albans District to help key workers and residents during the Covid-19 crisis.
Civil enforcement officers – formerly known as traffic wardens – have been instructed only to take action against unsafe or inconsiderate parking.
They will focus on protecting disabled bays, stopping driveways from being blocked and preventing dangerous parking near junctions.
In addition, they will ensure roads remain clear enough for refuse trucks and emergency vehicles to get through. They will also maintain access to loading bays and carparks.
The changes will come into effect immediately and are being introduced by St Albans City and District Council in response to the public health emergency.
It means key workers and volunteers looking after vulnerable people and maintaining vital services will not need to worry about having the right parking permit.
Residents working from home, who are usually away at work with their vehicle, will not need to make an emergency permit application or use up visitor vouchers.
The Council recognises that roads are likely to become busier with more people working from home.
To mitigate the impact of this, free overnight parking at Council carparks is being extended to help people who cannot find a space near their home.
This will be available to everyone from 5pm to 9.30am instead of to resident permit holders only from 6.30pm-7.30am.
Lifts at multi-storey carparks will be out of action because it may be difficult to call out an engineer promptly should someone become stuck in one.
In another move, the Council is looking at ways of providing free parking to key workers at its car parks during the crisis.
Councillor Chris White, Council Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate and Environment, said:
“We are responding swiftly to requests from key workers and residents for support with parking during the Covid-19 pandemic.“The new parking regime will help NHS staff, social care workers, volunteers and others who are on the frontline in the battle against the virus. It will also help residents who suddenly find themselves at home unexpectedly.
“We are asking, though, that people park safely and show consideration to others by not blocking driveways or causing other problems.
“Our Civil Enforcement Officers will act where there are complaints and, if necessary, take action against offenders. This is not a parking free for all, but an easing of restrictions in the midst of a national emergency.
“We will monitor how effective these parking changes are and keep them under review during the next three weeks.”
Any revisions will be posted on the Council’s website at https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport.
Any resident living in a Controlled Parking Zone who is having parking difficulties is advised to contact the Council on 01727 819206 or parkingpermits@stalbans.gov.uk.
Councillor Contact:
Councillor Chris White,
Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate and Environment for St Albans City and District Council
Email: cllr.c.white@stalbans.gov.uk
Tel: 01727 845300.
Contact for the media:
John McJannet,
Principal Communications Officer
Email: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.
Tel: 01727-819533