Parking charges are set to be re-introduced across the Isle of Wight next week, as more people return to work and shops prepare to reopen.
From Monday 8th June, on duty key workers will be the only people who can continue to park for free.
Since the end of March, on-street parking and car parks operated by the Isle of Wight Council have been free to help make life easier for residents at this difficult time.
However, with shops slowly starting to reopen and more people returning to work following the easing of lockdown rules, the council has taken the decision to start charging again. The council has lost significant amounts of money from car parking charges during the lockdown period.
Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said:
“We felt it important to offer free parking during the stay-home lockdown to support essential journeys by carers and NHS staff.
“Residents have done the right thing by staying home to save lives but we feel now is the right time to start reintroducing parking charges as we edge towards a degree of normality.
“The reintroduction of parking charges and enforcement has a part to play in controlling the numbers of people visiting our town centres, keeping traffic moving and supporting a higher turnover of spaces.”
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The council said a number of important factors were considered in making this decision. These included:
- current work to encourage and enable people to safely and confidently visit our town centres;
- the need to manage parking behaviour;
- the need to return to charging for car parks in a manner that supports and contributes to the Island’s economy; and
- the need to support steps to reduce carbon emissions in line with the council’s Climate Emergency declaration.
Residents are being advised to either use parking permits or the PaybyPhone app through which they can pay to park without having to use a machine.
Councillor Ward added:
“Public health and safety is clearly a priority and we acknowledge that some people may be wary about using, or queuing at, the pay and display machines.
“I would remind you to observe social distancing if you need to queue to pay at a machine and use hand sanitiser once you have completed your transaction.”
The council asks that key workers place evidence in their windscreen of their key worker status — such as a letter from their employer confirming their key worker status — or a photocopy of their work pass with sensitive information removed.
If key workers do not have any evidence to place in their windscreen and receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), they will need to contact the council via https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Transport-Parking-and-Streets/Parking-Services/Penalty-Charge-Notice/InformalChallenge.
The council will follow the government’s guidance on the definition of key workers.
Since lockdown 10 weeks ago, thousands of people across the island (and elsewhere, obviously), have become converts to online shopping. I work in this industry and the number of parcels every day is 3 times the average for this time of year, and even greater that the peak period of November and December. More and more people are wising up to how easy it is to sit at home and order, rather than waste time and fuel driving into town, going round in circles just to find a space, and then paying extortionate amounts for the privilege to park a vehicle that you are already paying road tax for. Every dumb council in the country seems unable to understand why town centres are dying, and why online shopping, out-of-town retail parks and hypermarkets are taking the trade. The reason is quite simple….NO PARKING CHARGES!! it really isn’t rocket science, just good old COMMON SENSE!
I fully agree with you Common Sense re parking charges. They charge for parking because they need all the money they can get due to central government cut backs!
no opinions matter – if they didn’t waste so much money at the council then they could easily manage on what they have and provide cuts to council tax bills.
I shall resume my norm by parking elsewhere than parks operated by our beloved council.
I also totally agree but how many small shops who barely make a living as it is with local taxes and out of town shopping prices have during lockdown seen the writing on the wall and just said time to call it a day we were barely existing as it was and they have my sympathy totally I’ve seen small shops open full of high hopes for the future only to close a year or so later their dreams dashed by heavy local taxes and as you say easier out of town and on line shopping it’s the future?
Heaven forbid, I hate online shopping. I ordered something from Amazon last Thursday on one day delivery. Tracking it said it had been delivered to my house at 2.21 on Friday. Searched high and low for it even in the dustbins and asked all the neighbours but no trace of it. It would have fitted through my letterbox. I was in, no knock on the door or ring of the front door bell and no card either. Got back to Amazon on their bot but was told to wait till close of business on Tuesday.
See the council couldn’t help struggling shops by removing parking charges when they reopen. Bit pointless making parking free when we weren’t supposed to use our cars. Still I suppose now restrictions are being lifted, councillors have to go out on their jollies.
Since lockdown when all the traffic wardens were quarantined Shanklin has become a free for all with parking all over pavements. Nil enforcement.
Some town centres over here should pay people to go shopping there, including the said Councillor’s home town.
So I moved just before lock down to a road that requires permit parking, since being here I haven’t had to worry about it, but since hearing they’re reinforcing the charges on Monday I thought I’d ring the office and apply for a residents permit so I avoid any chance of getting fined…. guess what, you cant even apply for a parking permit until Monday when the wardens will be out giving tickets. Wasn’t sure how to take that information given to me so I questioned it a little and was simply told, they’re having a meeting about it later in the week. No information to help was freely given I asked for ways I can send over my car reg so that I don’t get fined. If anyone needs to apply for residents permits contact the parking services and give your info as i have a feeling they will be catching a lot of people out
Oh dear won’t be able to park near my house anymore! Lockdown has had its advantages. Nobody wants to pay charges understandably so they all park in residential roads leaving residents to find elsewhere which often means we have to pay charges in car parks to park ourselves! Crazy. The council need to lower the fees and permits and they would get more people using them. Near me the car parks are often only half full but the residential areas are choc full of cars.
I am happy to pay parking fees in other places, but I don’t think I should have to pay in my home town. I want to use local shops and facilities and put money in their coffers not parking machines!
not be too long before all high street parking has gone to make way for the new cycle lanes and this is not just my thoughts. iv been told this by a clr.
High street shops are doomed