End of temporary NHS parking permits in Lancaster City Council car parks as next steps are taken on road to recovery

Lancaster City Council has supported the work of the NHS since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and played a leading role in helping to fight the virus and its effects on society.

This has included making its car parks available for Covid testing, providing free parking for NHS, health and social care workers, turning Lancaster Town Hall into a vaccination hub and running a testing centre from Morecambe Town Hall.

The council has also worked closely with Morecambe Bay Foodbank, Eggcup and other food groups to make sure no one goes hungry, and the Community Hub and volunteer line continue be a central point for residents needing help.

Now, as the country continues the transition out of lockdown, the city council is taking the next steps in returning its services to their pre-pandemic status.

This includes a decision that Government issued parking permits for NHS staff, health and social care workers will no longer be accepted in its car parks from Monday May 17, in line with the latest easing of lockdown restrictions planned for this date.

The temporary permit was introduced in April 2020 in response to the increasing number of people requiring treatment for Covid-19.

Now, with more restrictions beginning to lift and far fewer people requiring hospital treatment for Covid, the permits will no longer be accepted in the city council’s car parks.

Coun Janice Hanson cabinet member for Economic Regeneration & Planning, said: “With the easing of lockdown restrictions more people are returning to their offices and coming back to the high street to shop, eat out and socialise.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in demand for parking spaces and this will only increase as we reach the summer months, when we can expect people to want to get out and about and enjoy our parks and open spaces. With this, and car parks such as Nelson Street and Morecambe Town Hall being used to support Covid testing, space really is at a premium.

“The permits were a temporary measure and as we begin the road to recovery, and with fewer people thankfully needing treatment for Covid, their withdrawal is part of returning our services to their pre-pandemic status.

“Of course, not everyone needs to drive and, where possible, we’d encourage people to use an alternative mode of travel such as cycling, walking or public transport, which also helps to tackle climate change and reduces air pollution.”