Harrogate is lifting most parking restrictions to support key workers during lockdown

Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council have announced they are suspending on-street and off-street parking charges - and enforcement will now shift its focus to drivers who park in an unsafe or obstructive way.

The county council's executive member for access, Coun Don Mackenzie, said: “We’re taking this approach, with our partners, to help key workers, such as health and social care staff, to park as near as possible to their place of work to help them to provide the vital services we need now and to exempt them of any parking charges or time restrictions.

"The move will also help residents to park outside their homes while working from home or self-isolating.”

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Key workers are being asked to display clearly in their vehicles the appropriate evidence of their role, such as photocopies of their work pass with sensitive information removed, a letter of evidence from their employer or other existing health care permit.

Coun Mackenzie added: “Despite these relaxations, motorists must still adhere to parking restrictions such as double yellow lines and ensure they do not cause an obstruction or create a hazard. We must maintain access for emergency services and public transport at all times, as well as ensuring the overall safety of those still using the highway network.”

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When it announced the parking changes, Harrogate Borough Council also repeated the latest government guidelines on driving and parking.

It said: "Please continue to follow the latest government advice and ensure any car journeys are for essential purposes only. Motorists must also adhere to parking restrictions such as double yellow lines to ensure they do not cause on obstruction or create a hazard."

It comes after the government announced it will cover the costs of providing free car parking for NHS staff working at Harrogate District Hospital.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: "Our NHS is facing an unprecedented challenge, and I will do everything I can to ensure our dedicated staff have whatever they need during this unprecedented time.

"So we will provide free car parking for our NHS staff who are going above and beyond every day in hospitals across England.

"My enormous gratitude goes out to the many NHS trusts and other organisations already providing free car parking and I urge other Trusts to do the same with our backing."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter