But Council says it will take a 'common-sense' approach to enforcement

Key workers in Ealing are being urged to apply for parking dispensations to enable them to park in normally restricted residential zones as enforcement will still apply.

London’s transport network is being affected by the current crisis and reduced public transport means more workers are driving. The vast majority of people are staying at home however, and so this is leading to increased parking demand in residential areas during the day.

Ealing Council says it will be taking ' a common-sense approach' to enforcement of parking and driving offences during the coronavirus pandemic. Maintaining safety and keeping traffic flowing remain important priorities, particularly around medical centres, hospitals and food suppliers.

Measures being taken include:
• Making parking dispensations available for designated vital members of staff around hospitals, clinics and emergency services control centres.

• Concentrating parking enforcement to ensure loading facilities near food suppliers are kept clear, and that there are sufficient spaces to park for key workers.

• Exploring options for overspill parking sites near hospitals and medical centres.

• All parking facilities across Ealing remain open to those who are not key workers – but they should be used only for making essential journeys, in line with the advice offered by Public Health England.

•Vulnerable users such as disabled badge holders should continue to use their badges as usual. PayByPhone or a pay and display bay where appropriate, and continue to adhere to the moving traffic restrictions that still apply as usual. All CPZs and moving violation restrictions will continue to be monitored as normal in order to reduce congestion and maintain road safety.

•Key workers can request a dispensation by writing to Suspensions@Ealing.gov.uk , giving their email the title “KEY WORKER APPLICATION” and providing evidence of your job role, and detailing the controlled parking zone in which you need to park.

Councillor Julian Bell, the leader of Ealing Council said: “We are committed to supporting NHS staff, the emergency services, carers and community volunteers who are leading the fight against coronavirus in our borough. We are all incredibly proud of the work that they are doing and want to ensure that the last thing they need is anxiety caused by trying to find a safe place to park.

“All key workers in the borough using cars or other vehicles to get around can rest assured that borough parking teams are on their side and should not hesitate to inform us of their parking requirements at this time.”

 March 25 2020