Edinburgh City Council parking charges to continue despite being suspended during last lockdown

Edinburgh City Council says it will not suspend parking charges, despite doing so during the previous lockdown.

Parking charges will continue.

The council says that it needs to continue charging vehicle owners to park in order to stop obstructions on the streets, which runs in stark contrast to measures introduced last year.

In March 2020, the council announced that all on-street pay and display parking bays in Edinburgh would be suspended, with charges returning at the end of June.

However this time round the council will be continuing the policy of collecting parking charges.

But permit holders will also be allowed to use pat and display spaces in their area.

An Edinburgh City Council spokesperson said: “We will continue to enforce pay and display parking to help ensure our streets are kept safe and free of obstruction.

"However, permit holders can park for free in any pay and display spaces in their zone, in recognition of the fact many more people will be at home during lockdown.

“As hospitality venues and non-essential retail are closed under the current restrictions there is less need for people to drive to pay and display areas.

"As has been the case for many years, we have permits in place for essential workers, like NHS staff, and tradespeople, as well as free parking for blue badge holders, so we are confident that there is still parking provision for those who need it the most.”

The council’s income from pay and display parking declined by up to 31 per cent over the summer of 2020.