Coronavirus: Traffic wardens stay on patrol to help emergency services - The Leamington Observer

Coronavirus: Traffic wardens stay on patrol to help emergency services

Leamington Editorial 26th Mar, 2020 Updated: 26th Mar, 2020   0

TRAFFIC wardens have continued to patrol Warwickshire’s streets to help emergency services and other support workers.

Warwickshire County Council still has its parking officers ensuring residents are following parking rules on roads and on-street car parks.

Wardens said following the prime minister’s announcement the country was going into lockdown, they began getting abuse from the public for doing their jobs.

But the council has now decided to only issue tickets in ‘extreme circumstances’.




A spokesman told the Observer: “Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) will continue to patrol Warwickshire’s streets, while observing the restrictions on social distancing to keep themselves and the public safe.

“However, it will focus efforts exclusively on ensuring that parking does not impact negatively on access for emergency services and other critical support teams.


“This means that CEOs will only issue penalty charge notices (PCNs) to vehicles which are parked dangerously or obstructively. Such vehicles may also be reported to the police for possible removal. This is in line with current guidance from Government and guidance on safe parking practices can be found in the Highway Code.

“Until further notice, CEOs will not issue PCNs to vehicles which are parked safely and non-obstructively, even if these are in areas where waiting restrictions currently apply. Instead, CEOs will provide advice and guidance about safe parking locations and seek to help motorists wherever possible. Only those vehicles parked so irresponsibly as to constitute a danger or obstruction will be subject to enforcement.

“To help further, we will be suspending on-street charges for key workers, including NHS staff. This is intended to recognise the significance of key workers’ contribution to keeping us all safe and well. If you are a Key Worker and need to park on-street in a pay and display parking bay, please ensure that you have a form of notification identifying yourself as such clearly visible in your car. Examples may include a copy of your NHS id badge, surgery employment letter or similar. We will need to rely on members of the public not to abuse this.”

And CEOs will also remind the public about social distancing if necessary.

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