Parking charges will resume and payment by phone will be encouraged at St Helens Borough Council-controlled car parks in St Helens town centre from Monday 22 June.
In March, the council took the decision to suspend fees to assist key workers and those that needed to make essential journeys at the height of lockdown. However, with measures eased and a number of non-essential shops reopening, parking charges in St Helens town centre – among the cheapest in the North West – will be brought back as the council faces a £25m funding gap as a result of the pandemic.
To make payment easier and safer – where possible, visitors using all council pay and display car parks and on street pay and display bays are advised to pay for their stay using the Apcoa Connect Pay by Phone or App. No additional charge will be applied for the use of this service.
You don’t need a smartphone to use this service – all you have to do is call the number advertised as soon as you have parked your vehicle; state the car park’s location code; length of stay you require and payment card details. You must then reply to a text message confirming your registration number – your parking is then paid.
Those visiting St Helens town centre by vehicle who wish to pay by cash are encouraged to park at Birchley Car Park if possible to reduce the risk of cash handling.
St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “During the coronavirus pandemic, councils have had to adapt rapidly to the way they offer services, with health and hygiene now as important as ever. Our parking service is no different and the Apcoa Connect Pay by Phone or App is an excellent way of paying for your stay without having to come into physical contact with a payment machine.
“If you do need to use a payment machine we would ask that you use hand sanitiser and respect other car park users by keeping a two-metre distance when queuing to pay, as we want to ensure everyone’s visit to St Helens town centre is a safe experience.”
Council surface car parks and the Hardshaw Centre roof top car park will be open and chargeable as normal from Monday 22 June 2020 – as will all on street pay and display bays.
Chalon Way multi-storey car park will be open on levels 1-3 for permit holders only – while Tontine and St Mary’s multi-storey car parks will remain closed for the foreseeable future, following Covid risk assessments.
Permit holders for all other council-controlled town centre car parks will also need to display a valid permit issued for that particular car park. Any virtual permit holders must again park on the car park the permit is valid for.
With the number of vehicles on roads increasing, enforcement will resume on Monday 22 June to ensure vehicles are safely and legally parked in the interest of safety for all our road users.
For a full list of council-controlled car parks, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/carparks
For permit enquiries, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/traffic-travel-parking/parking/car-parks/car-park-permits/
