AT LEAST three Gwent councils are providing free car parking for 'key workers' such as teachers, health workers and others essential to keeping the country running during the coronavirus pandemic.
Monmouthshire County Council, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Caerphilly County Borough Council have said that their car parks are free to use for key workers.
The pledge has been made after the UK Government defined a list of 'key workers' considered are essential to keeping the country running, including anyone working in health, social care, education, childcare, essential utilities such as gas, electricity and internet, as well as police, fire and emergency services staff and armed forces personnel.
People working in public transport, the postal service, local and national government, food production, processing, sale and delivery, and a number of other public services such as journalists, religious staff and those working in the justice system, are also covered.
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And now Monmouthshire council has said key workers will not be charged for parking during the pandemic.
A spokesman said: “The council will accommodate free parking within its car parks for key workers during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, though we ask that they display a form of identification on the dashboard.
“The situation remains unchanged for other users who will still be required to comply with current parking practices.”
Caerphilly council has also said those required to undertake essential travel and key workers can use council car parks for free.
Blaenau Gwent car parks are already free to use and no changes have been made to this.
Newport council did not specify whether their car parks would be free to use for key workers.
A spokesman for the council said: “We are liaising with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to see what support can be provided and ensuring there are enough car parking spaces for those vital, frontline members of staff during this crisis.
“We will continue to monitor and review the situation over the coming weeks and months.”
Torfaen council has been contacted for a comment.
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