Charges were suspended in Mid Sussex District Council car parks on 30 March 2020 to help residents park safely during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. With full lockdown measures in place and many people staying at home there was a shortage of on-street parking spaces, especially for the key workers travelling to and from work. The car parks provided a space for residents to park safely without adding to the road congestion.
Councillor Stephen Hillier, MSDC Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said:
“With lockdown restrictions starting to relax and people able to travel freely around the District once more, the pressure on street parking spaces has decreased significantly.
“Central Government has announced that they plan to gradually ease lockdown restrictions over the coming months. Non-essential shops will reopen in June, more people will be able to return to work and the Government hopes primary school children in England will be able to return to school.
“With the reopening of our town centres and workplaces, parking charges will help us to manage the demand for parking and ensure there is regular turnover of spaces, so people have space to park when they want to visit our towns and go shopping.
“NHS staff and care workers with a valid government permit on display will continue to receive free parking in our car parks and designated on street parking bays.”
New signage will be installed in all car parks to remind customers of how important it is to follow social distancing measures when getting in and out of vehicles or moving around the car park.
People are encouraged to use the MiPermit pay by phone service that is available in every car park to avoid contact with the machines. However, if customers choose to use a machine then signs will be on display to remind them to follow Government guidelines in respect of social distancing and hand washing.
Season ticket holders will automatically have additional time added to the end of their subscription period.