Isle of Wight Council: Car parking charges return today (Monday)

On duty key workers will be the only people who can continue to park for free.

Since the end of March, on-street parking and car parks operated by the Isle of Wight Council have been free.

From today, key workers must place evidence in their status in their windscreen, such as a letter from their employer, or a photocopy of their work pass (with sensitive information removed), says County Hall.

If you receive a Penalty Charge Notice, you will need to contact the council HERE.  

The council says it will follow the government’s guidance on the definition of key workers.

Non key workers are being advised to either use parking permits or the PaybyPhone app, avoiding the use of a machine. 

Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: "We felt it important to offer free parking during the stay-home lockdown to support essential journeys by carers and NHS staff.

"Residents have done the right thing by staying home to save lives but we feel now is the right time to start reintroducing parking charges as we edge towards a degree of normality.

"The reintroduction of parking charges and enforcement has a part to play in controlling the numbers of people visiting our town centres, keeping traffic moving and supporting a higher turnover of spaces." Councillor Ward added: "Public health and safety is clearly a priority and we acknowledge that some people may be wary about using, or queuing at, the pay and display machines.

"I would remind you to observe social distancing if you need to queue to pay at a machine and use hand sanitiser once you have completed your transaction.”