Lewisham council relaxes parking rules during coronavirus outbreak

By Grainne Cuffe, Local Democracy Reporter

Lewisham drivers will not be punished for breaking parking rules unless they park dangerously or obstruct emergency vehicles under temporary new rules.

It follows Lewisham council relaxing parking rules amid the coronavirus outbreak, with some exceptions.

The move is to make sure residents can park outside their homes during the pandemic.

But the council, which is following Government guidelines, has warned that residents should follow normal rules as much as possible “even if they are not being enforced”.

The local authority said it will still punish drivers who park dangerously or if cars obstruct the emergency services.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “Although parking restrictions are being lifted for the time being, we need people to adhere to previous parking restrictions as much as they can, for the good of the rest of the community.

“Parking restrictions such as not parking on double yellow lines, zig zags and disabled parking bays have been implemented for public safety and they should be followed throughout this difficult period, even if they are not being enforced.

“We are still enforcing where cars which are parked dangerously or impacting on emergency services gaining access to locations.”

The new rules mean residents can now park in or on single yellow lines, pay and display bays, and resident permit bays with the exception of business or disabled bays as these spaces “need to be maintained for coronavirus key workers and residents with disabilities”.

But people still cannot park in or on council operated car parks, loading bays, and short-stay parking bays – the council urged drivers to keep these free for key workers and essential deliveries.

Drivers should not park on footpaths, double yellow lines, at bus stops, or on zig-zag markings.