Allerdale Borough Council has made some changes to its parking services.
The multi-storey car park in Workington reopens today [1 July] after closing due to the lockdown. Staff have been working hard to ensure that customers and staff are kept safe and that any risks of spreading coronavirus is reduced as much as possible.
Therefore, measures that have been introduced include:
- Extra cleaning of key areas, doors and handles
- Improved signage encouraging social distancing
- Payments by card only, to reduce the risk to staff when handling money
In addition, the council is introducing changes to the free parking scheme for key workers.
The council has been providing free parking for NHS and other key workers over the last few months to help them with the response to the pandemic. This was extended in May and continued with a wide definition of “key workers” to include shop and transport workers whilst they are providing essential services to the public.
As the lockdown eases it is no longer possible to provide free parking for all those previously considered to be key workers. However, the council will continue to provide this concession to NHS staff, care workers and volunteers assisting with the pandemic response. This will be reviewed at the end of August and all staff making use of the scheme whilst working, need to provide evidence in their vehicle from their employer or voluntary organisation to prove their eligibility.
Those eligible for free parking can make use of any of the council’s car parks, except Workington’s multi-storey car park.
New online commercial permit system
Allerdale has introduced a new online system to improve the administration of its commercial parking permits. These permits are used by businesses, such as hotels, to provide their customers with parking in the council’s car parks.
From 1 July, all commercial permits will be administered through the online MiPermit system. To use the system, businesses will need to set up an account with the system which allows them to purchase as many permits as they require. Businesses can then change the vehicle registration number associated with each permit as necessary – such as on the arrival and check-in of a new hotel guest.
Permits can be bought and managed online by going to https://secure.mipermit.com/allerdale/Application/home.aspx and by following the links under the “Buy digital permits” section.
Permits can last for between one and 12 months and the annual cost is just £503 with a £1 set-up fee for each permit. There is no charge for changing a vehicle registration.
The new system means the customer no longer needs to use a paper permit in their vehicle. Paper permits currently in use can continue to be used until they expire.
Council enforcement officers will check registration numbers with their hand-held computers and will not issue any penalty charge notices if the vehicle is registered with the system.
Regular car park users can also pay for parking online via the MiPermit app. The app is available to download on the Apple and Android app stores. Once registered the app allows people to buy parking without using a machine, as well as top-up their stay if they need more time.
