Car parks operated by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) are to be made free of charge from today to ensure key workers and volunteers involved in the Coronavirus response can access parking and to minimise the risk of virus transmission.
All the council’s off-street car parks will remain open but charges will not be enforced. The Westmorland Shopping Centre multi-storey car park will, however, be closed to vehicles.
SLDC Leader Councillor Giles Archibald said: “We want to ensure that key workers and volunteers can go about their vital work as easily as possible, and temporarily removing our parking charges is one way that we can help.
“It will also mean that anyone using the car parks will not need to use the pay-and-display machines, which we hope will help to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.
“We would stress, however, that this is a measure designed to support key workers. People should not be tempted to use the car parks unnecessarily and we support all the government’s advice about social distancing and staying at home during this three week period.’’
The parking charge arrangement will be subject to review in mid-April.
