“Car parking charges in place to discourage social gatherings”

By timesecholife on in All News, Latest News

Parking charges remain in place at car parks across the Moorlands in a bid to ‘discourage social gatherings,’ a council has said. We reported last week that concerns had been raised over the potential spread of coronavirus via the use of pay machines on car parks after Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) refused to suspend charges. But a council spokesman has since confirmed the aim was to stop people visiting town centres.

Parking charges remain in place at car parks across the Moorlands in a bid to ‘discourage social gatherings,’ a council has said.

We reported last week that concerns had been raised over the potential spread of coronavirus via the use of pay machines on car parks after Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) refused to suspend charges.

But a council spokesman has since confirmed the aim was to stop people visiting town centres.

Last week councillor Gary Bentley, from Cheadle, was joined by several other council members, including councillor Linda Malyon, from Ipstones, as he called for charges to be axed during the coronavirus lockdown.

Cllr Bentley suggested parking should be free and pay machines covered over to prevent anyone touching the buttons and inadvertently spreading the virus.

However, despite most shops and venues being closed, the parking charges look set to remain in place.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said this week: “Public health has been our priority whenever decisions about the services we deliver have been made and it was decided at an early stage that we would keep car parking charges in place to discourage social gatherings.

“This decision was made in partnership with our partners to support and reinforce the importance of the need for social distancing – suspending the charges would have given a mixed message at a time when non-essential travel was restricted for everyone.

“Throughout this period we have operated the car parks strictly in line with the British Parking Association guidance and recognised the national permit scheme for health and care workers.

“Locally, we have extended the permit scheme to include other key workers such as staff working in chemists.”

3 Comments

• Looks like Cheadle high Street have been social distancing for years.. 😊
  Written by Steve, May 15, 2020 - Reply
• That’s rubbish do they think there constituencies are stupid it’s all about the money. Everyone touching the ticket machines can’t be safe, why do you think they raised contactless payments to £45!!!!
  Written by Jenny taylor, May 15, 2020 - Reply
• I think that the Staffordshire moorlands Council needs to look at it's priorities, people's Health and safety is far more important than revenue, and the excuses they give for parking charges and traffic wardens to deter social gathering is pathetic, we have enough rules and regulations to follow in these extreme circumstances so the council should get a grip.
  Written by Colin staples, August 5, 2020 - Reply

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