Fines for motorists to return as Wigan's council car parks are due to reopen

Council-owned car parks could soon fully reopen and fines issued to drivers once more as the coronavirus lockdown continues to ease.
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With more shops expected to open their doors on Monday and more people returning to work, local authorities around the country have been looking at their car parks.

Wigan Council’s barrier-controlled car parks have been closed during the pandemic, with Water Street used by NHS staff.

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The surface car parks and pay-and-display bays have been operational but without a pay facility.

Wigan Council's car park on Chapel LaneWigan Council's car park on Chapel Lane
Wigan Council's car park on Chapel Lane

Now, bosses are carrying out risk assessments for how council-owned car parks can be used safely while preventing the spread of Covid-19.

They could open to paying customers within the next week.

Motorists could also receive parking charge notices (PCNs) again if they infringe any parking regulations.

Dave Lyon, assistant director of environmental services at the council, said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to deploy civil enforcement officers to patrol the borough in order to ensure cars are parked safely and responsibly.

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“In partnership with Greater Manchester Police, we focused on educating drivers with warning notices, rather than PCNs. The notices were issued by a scaled down patrol team and prioritised cars that could have impacted access for emergency or essential services and cars parked in disabled bays.

Parking has been free for NHS and key workers and we are working with our health colleagues to see how we can continue to offer this alongside paying customers once our pay-and-display car parks reopen.

“Although PCNs have not been used throughout lockdown, this is something we will be looking to reintroduce very shortly. We continue to remind motorists to drive and park responsibly and safely.”

Shops deemed to be “non-essential”, which have been closed during the pandemic, can reopen from Monday.

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Many businesses across the borough are making preparations to welcome customers once more.

Measures to ensure social distancing are being put in place at the Grand Arcade shopping centre, including a one-way system.

The first traders will be back for business at Wigan and Leigh’s indoor market halls from Monday too, following the reopening of Wigan’s outdoor market last week.

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