Following agreement with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) has suspended parking charges for key NHS workers.
The plan means no health or social care worker will have to pay parking fees in council car parks or at the roadside, when carrying out their frontline duties during the coronavirus crisis. Details and eligibility are being added all the time to the dedicated web pages at – Covid-19.
In order to limit the spread of the virus and ensure critical NHS staff can continue to carry out their frontline duties, NEPP will suspend parking charges for on-street parking and open car parks. These critical workers will be encouraged to display supporting evidence in their windscreen, such as photocopies of their work pass with sensitive information removed, or a letter of evidence from their employer.
The arrangements, which came into effect on Wednesday (25th March 2020), will continue until further notice.
NEPP also plans to waive any fines received by health and social care workers while carrying out their duties over recent days. These workers are encouraged and will be supported to appeal the fines, with supporting evidence from their employer.
And in a further step, the NEPP will now also issue MiPermit exemptions to ALL KEY WORKERS – not just those working in the NHS – so anyone classed as a critical worker employed anywhere in the NEPP area will be able to apply via MiPermit, provided that can produce evidence of their role.
Councillor Robert Mitchell, Chairman of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “Critical workers are doing vital and highly valued work, day and night, to support the most vulnerable in our society, save lives and keep our country running through this unprecedented crisis.
“The NEPP welcomes its role in helping key workers get to work – enabling them to park in on-street bays or council-owned car parks without having to worry about cost or time restrictions.
“But these extraordinary times are no excuse for careless or inconsiderate parking and we are asking all motorists who need to make essential journeys only since the PM’s announcement of more curbs on normal life, to park responsibly and considerately. The number-one priority for the NEPP must be to maintain access for essential services, for the benefit of all. Those unable to exercise consideration will still find a sticky envelope attached to their vehicle!”
For more information about applying for permits and how NEPP is responding to the coronavirus pandemic, please visit: Covid-19
