Key worker permit extended until end of July as council supports NHS and care staff

June 20, 2021

A temporary permit allowing NHS health and care workers carrying out essential work during the Coronavirus pandemic to park in all the Borough’s council owned car parks and on street bays has been extended until the end of July. This follows the Government’s announcement earlier this week that step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown is being delayed by four weeks.

The NHS and care workers parking permit – which was relaunched in January and was set to expire at the end of June – now allows them free parking up to 31 July 2021, in or on:

• pay to park bays on street (e.g. pay and display bays)
• Council-operated car parks
• short-stay car parks
• resident permit bays

NHS and care worker permit holders are unable to park in or on the following:

• loading bays
• footway (including the pavement)
• single or double yellow lines
• bus stops
• zig-zag markings
• disabled persons parking bays

NHS and care workers should visit our permits page to apply. The permits are virtual, and successful applicants will be informed that their application has been agreed and their vehicle registration number will be logged onto the patrol system. Those who already have a permit will have it extended automatically with no need to apply for a renewal.

Cllr Ron Woodley, cabinet member for transport, asset management and inward investment, said: “The government announced recently that they are withdrawing the emergency parking pass guidance for Covid-19 health, care and volunteer workers parking pass on 21 June 2021.

“However, we are pleased to extend our own local key worker permit offer to our amazing NHS and care work staff, giving them a parking permit until the end of July, which should allow those workers across the Borough to get around the town to carry out essential work, and make their own lives a little easier at this difficult time.

“With the fantastic effort seen so far and the vaccination roll out still ongoing, we know that key workers will need this support for a bit longer. We want to show our appreciation and thanks to the amazing work each and every one of you are doing, so please do get in touch if this permit applies to you.

“I would also like to remind our residents and visitors about the Southend Pass, which is an incredible offer of discounted parking across the whole Borough. For as little as £8.50 per month, you could get up to 12 hours of parking across different parking zones.”

The temporary permit is valid until 31 July 2021 and will be reviewed again next month ahead of that expiry date.