Parking charges suspended on Sandwell Council car parks

Sandwell Council has taken the measure to support people including key workers who are making essential journeys.

But council bosses have urged people not to use this opportunity for "unnecessary shopping trips".

The free parking will be in place until June 30.

During the lockdown, people are only allowed to leave their home for: essential shopping such as getting food or medicine; one form of exercise; any medical need; or for travelling to work where it is essential.

Anyone found breaching this can be fined an initial £60 by police.

Sandwell Council leader Yvonne Davies said: "We want to do all we can to support people who live and work in Sandwell during this difficult time.

"We know that people are having to make essential journeys – particularly keyworkers and those who have to make trips to do essential shopping.

"By suspending parking charges in council car parks we hope this will make things easier for people making those essential journeys.

"But I would ask that people don’t use this as an opportunity to make unnecessary trips to the shops."

All other parking conditions including charges for on-street parking bays will still apply.

For more information, visit www.sandwell.gov.uk/parking