ANGER among frontline workers builds as the council’s free parking scheme for key workers comes to an end next week.

More than 7,000 key workers applied for the Key Worker Parking Scheme, but these people will only be able to park in council owned car parks for free until 31 May 2020.

A new parking scheme for critical workers will continue to support NHS, health and social care staff but frontline workers such as those in the public service, transport and education sectors will miss out.

Councillor Andy Hadley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “In excess of 7000 key workers enrolled onto the original scheme and, following recent government alterations to lockdown conditions, the demands on our roads and parking capacity have risen significantly, with many more people returning to work but avoiding public transport.

“It’s not possible for us to manage traffic and parking effectively while continuing offering all key workers unlimited free parking, but we can, and will, continue to offer these concessions to critical workers.

The original concession will remain valid until Sunday 31 May.

“The thing is, other police stations, hospitals, fire stations all have parking but people working at the police station at the biggest town in the county are penalised.

From Monday, all non-critical workers will need to pay for parking as normal and adhere to time limits.

Healthcare workers can apply for two versions of the permits, a designated BCP Council parking space or access to any BCP Council parking space while working, free of charge under the new scheme.

Cllr Hadley added: “They will need to either nominate a car park relevant to their place of work as eligible for the ongoing free parking, and pay when parking elsewhere, or if the job is working in the community, apply for a mobile permit.

“It’s fantastic that so many key workers were able to take advantage of our scheme and we hugely appreciate their service to the community.

“We are now focussing our efforts on supporting critical workers and we urge anyone who would like to find out more to visit the service changes section of our website.”

The mother of a Dorset policewomen has expressed her anger at the change in parking scheme.

Sandi’s daughter resorts to parking on Dean Park Road and walk under the Wessex Way flyover to get to the Dorset Police Station.

However, since the restrictions have been eased, she has been struggling to find parking spaces.

Bournemouth Echo:

Sandi said: “My daughter is a Police Officer at Bournemouth and her work is unchanged. She still works unsociable hours, gets abuse, spat at, rarely gets a lunch break and invariably has to stay on due to low numbers.

“The thing is, other police stations, hospitals, fire stations all have parking but people working at the police station at the biggest town in the county are penalised.

“My question is can the council not allow free parking in the Madeira Road car park for emergency workers as surely it won’t impact them financially that much will it?”

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