Free parking to help high streets re-open safely

Published: Wednesday, 7 April 2021

Havering Council is providing free parking from Monday 12 April 2021 for four weeks, to help support our high streets and town centres as they re-open again.

Parking fees and restriction times in all Council car parks and on-street parking bays will be suspended daily until and including 9 May 2021

This is in addition to the free parking on Sundays already in place, which will continue after that time.

The Council also provides a Havering Heroes parking permit for NHS and other key workers. This permit has been extended until 21 June 2021.

This enables these workers to park in resident bays and Council car parks free, for up to three hours during the week and weekends.

The Government’s roadmap continues with non-essential businesses opening again on Monday.

The Council wants to support residents to shop local and boost local businesses as they recover from the impacts of Covid 19.

It was one of the few local authorities to suspend parking charges as lockdown began in March 2020. 

Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, said:

“I am delighted that our Council is able to support our high streets and town centres by introducing free parking for four weeks from Monday.

“Throughout this pandemic we have supported numerous businesses with financial grants.

"Meanwhile our public protection teams will continue to help businesses remain open safely under the guidelines.

“We are also asking residents to support our local businesses and shop in our High Streets and town centres, but to do so safely.

“As the vaccine roll-out continues successfully and cases drop further, we are on our way to better days ahead as we recover from the pandemic. 

“Not only does free parking help our residents to shop local – it will hopefully provide a welcome boost to Havering businesses after such challenging times.”