News Please allow access to refuse vehicles
Maidstone Borough Council is asking residents to make sure they allow emergency services and essential refuse vehicles to get through streets.
A number of streets in the town centre have had issues with refuse collections due to the amount of parked cars blocking access.
With the increased numbers of people working from home and self-isolating due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are more vehicles than normal around during the day which is causing problems in some areas.
Jeff Kitson, Parking Services Manager at Maidstone Borough Council said:
“Parking and traffic management is an important public service, keeping yellow lines free from vehicle obstruction helps to maintain road safety and ensures access to property, goods and services.“It is even more critical in the current pandemic as we support our emergency services and refuse vehicles so they can keep providing essential services.
“To help ease the parking demand, Maidstone Borough Council has agreed to allow residents displaying a valid resident parking permit to park free of charge in any of the Councils pay and display car parks until 1 July 2020.
“To maintain safe access to your road and to allow refuse vehicles to support your local community, please use the Councils car parks wherever possible and please park responsibly.
“Unfortunately, your rubbish collection may be significantly delayed if the refuse vehicles cannot get access to your road as the services are already stretched. Your support and cooperation is appreciated. Please help us keep your community safe.
A letter is being delivered to those houses most affected, also reminding residents that restrictions such as those placed at junctions and in roads where the highway width is reduced are there to ensure the safe free flow of traffic.
Temporary parking arrangements which have been put in place due to the Coronavirus Pandemic are:
* On-street resident parking bays and off-street car parks will be free for NHS health and social care staff displaying their ID badge or an official letter in their windscreen.
* Non-permit holders are able to park in resident parking bays until 1 July 2020.
* Residents displaying resident parking permits can use off-street car parks and on-street paid bays for free at all times of the day in order to ease congestion on residential streets until 1 July 2020.
* Business permit holders displaying permits can use off-street car parks and on-street paid bays for free at all times of the day in order to ease congestion on residential streets until 1 July 2020.
Arrangements in place as normal:
* Yellow line restrictions will continue to be enforced to ensure safety and access for emergency and waste vehicles.
* Disabled bays for less mobile residents will also still be enforced to ensure they have easy access to local shops.
* Loading bays will continue to be enforced as we need to maintain unrestricted access for lorries to deliver much needed stock.
* School keep clear markings will also be enforced to ensure that safety is maintained outside schools.