WILTSHIRE Council is easing parking restrictions during the ongoing Coronavirus situation.

The measures have been announced to support residents and key workers.

From tomorrow council car parks will be free and the council’s parking enforcement service will be relaxed and focus primarily on serious contraventions.

The enforcement service will continue to prevent incidents of obstructive or dangerous parking that could have a more significant impact on safety and access for emergency and essential services.

Councillor Philip Whitehead, leader of Wiltshire Council said: “At this time it is vital we support our communities to ensure they can follow government guidelines and ensure our key workers can deliver vital services across Wiltshire.

“This means that we will allow all key workers and residents to use on and off-street parking bays without time restriction or charge. This includes any council car parks, on-street paid for parking bays and permit bays in controlled parking zones.

“Parking management is a key service to ensure we maintain road safety, access for emergency services and the delivery of goods and services, including refuse collection vehicles. It is extremely important that we continue to enforce for these issues in these challenging times.

“We ask that people continue to park considerately and legally at all times. We also ask you to be respectful to our officers carrying out these critical duties. By doing so you will keep the highway safe for all but especially our NHS, emergency services and other key workers.”

In addition, the Council will also be relaxing restrictions in residential areas to maximise the parking spaces available to residents who might be self-isolating or working from home.

Timed restrictions in residential areas will be lifted so that residents can park on the road all day.

All valid parking permits and season tickets will be frozen at this time. This will be reviewed after three weeks in line with government guidance on staying at home and social distancing.