County council will resume on-street pay-and-display charges in Northampton town centre this Monday

The county council will resume enforcing on-street parking charges in Northampton town centre this Monday to "support shops and businesses following the Covid-19 lockdown".

On-street pay-and-display parking in Northampton was put on hold during the lockdown - but it will be back in force on June 15.

It also means enforcement of parking charges will resume throughout the county, but only Northampton has pay-and-display bays on-street.

It comes as many non-essential shops and businesses are preparing to reopen on Monday as part of the Government plan to end the lockdown.

Meanwhile, Northampton Borough Council will reintroduce parking charges its car parks from June 29.

Pay-and-display machines will also have social distancing markers in place where possible and will reportedly be cleaned regularly - but the council is advising motorists to "cover their fingers" when paying for a ticket, and to wash their hands afterwards as soon as possible.

Free parking will also continue to be given to the NHS, health and social care workers NHS Covid-19 volunteers in line with the government’s free parking concessions. A Government Parking Pass or a pre-agreed parking permit must be clearly on display in the vehicle.

This also means local exemptions and permits issued to wider groups of key workers will no longer be valid.

Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for environment and place councillor Jason Smithers said: “We temporarily suspended on-street pay and display charging at the start of the pandemic, but as the county begins to reopen we need to ensure that effective parking enforcement is in place to support this, allowing shoppers to park near their destination and bring people back into town centres.

“Free parking will continue to be given to the NHS, health and social care workers and NHS covid-19 volunteers in line with the government’s free parking concessions. The current residents’ permit parking arrangements will also continue until the end of the month when they are due for review.

“All motorists are reminded that they should not park dangerously or cause an obstruction including blocking a dropped kerb, on zigzags at crossings, in loading restrictions and on yellow lines protecting junctions. It is vital that we keep the county moving, maintain traffic flow and focus on safety and access for emergency and essential services.”

Pay and display machines will reportedly also have social distancing markings in place around the machines where possible.

A statement from the council reads: "While a regular cleaning regime will be in place, customers are advised to cover their fingers to press buttons. It is also recommended that customers wash/sanitise their hands as soon as possible after using the machine.

"The government has issued guidance on safe travel online which includes a checklist of planning a journey and what to take."