Matthew has welcomed an announcement by Barnet Council of changes to parking restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic. This is to assist residents who are now remaining at home and those who may visit self-isolators or the vulnerable who are not able to go out. 

Matthew has received confirmation from the Council as follows:

Locations where you can now park with or without a permit:

• Permit Holder Bays (resident and business)
• Shared use Bays
• Single Yellow Lines in force just for one hour at a time

Locations where parking is allowed with the usual payment:

• Pay and Display bays near shops
• Car Parks

In addition to the above provisions, health care and essential workers can park in locations as follows:

• If no permit spaces are available then a pay and display space, any Council car park, a loading bay or single yellow line - where not obstructing traffic or impeding safety. Parking in such locations MUST be accompanied with a note (written, ideally, on headed paper, with details of the driver's role and organisation. Traffic Enforcement Officers need to be made aware of who is parking.)  

Where you CANNOT park:

• Single yellow lines operating for longer than an hour at a time
• Double yellow lines
• Loading Bays
• Disabled Badge Holder bays
• Suspended parking bays (these may have to be suspended for parking by emergency or health care workers)
• Dedicated disabled bays
• In front of fire stations, ambulance stations, hospital entrances
• Anywhere that would obstruct pedestrians or other vehicles – being mindful that waste removal vehicles need more space than a car does

Matthew said: “I am very pleased that Barnet Council has taken the initiative to help residents by removing restrictions on local parking. At this time when more people are working from home and self-isolating, parking can be a worry. Barnet Council has recognised this and removed this concern.”