CHARGES on council-operated car parks in the town will return on Monday.

The council decided to make its car parks free to use during the lockdown, so far, to ease pressure on residents and key workers.

But following the steady relaxation of some restrictions, parking charges will be reintroduced across all council car parks on Monday, June 1, as part of a wider ‘restart’ of the town centre and beyond.

The council will continue to support NHS and care workers by providing free parking to them, as long as a valid pass is displayed in the windscreen of a vehicle in pay and display car parks – such workers need to show their pass to car park staff in the Time Square multi-storey car park to receive free parking.

Reinstating parking charges is part of a phased approach aimed at preparing for the borough’s recovery from coronavirus, in line with the Government’s intended phased approach.

The council is, however, planning initiatives to encourage and support more people to cycle or walk, rather than drive, with the longer-term aspiration that changes made in response to coronavirus will have long lasting health benefits for residents if they continue to use active transport to travel around Warrington.

However, if travelling by car is essential, car park users are reminded that they can make contactless payments at Time Square multi-storey car park and pay by phone at all other council operated surface car parks.

Even though all pay and display and pay on foot machines will be regularly cleaned and sanitised, motorists are urged to follow Government guidance on hand washing and sanitisation if they do use these machines.

More information on ‘cashless parking’ can be found at myringgo.co.uk, or visit warrington.gov.uk/carparks for further details.