Parking season tickets which were due to expire during the coronavirus lockdown period will be automatically extended free of charge by Swindon Borough Council to support businesses and their employees.
The Council has introduced the extension for car parking season tickets and leases for parking spaces in the Town Centre, Old Town and the Croft Park and Ride in recognition of the fact many employees are currently working from home.
Season tickets and leases for car parking spaces that were valid on the date the coronavirus started (24 March) will be eligible for a 12-week extension from their expiry date without any additional charge.
Any season tickets with an expiry date within 12 weeks of 24 March (and which have not been renewed) the extension period will match the equivalent number of days left between 24 March and the expiry date.
This is subject to any updated government guidance that is forthcoming during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The season ticket extension is the latest in a series of measures the Council has introduced to support businesses and employees.
Under the #HereForSwindon package of support, charity, volunteer groups and all NHS and social care staff can apply for parking permits to allow them to park for free in all of the Council’s surface level car parks and on-street pay and display parking bays.
The car parks included in the season ticket and lease extension include:
- Dammas Lane, Old Town
- Brunel North Car Park
- Brunel West Car Park
- Fleming Way Car Park
- Whalebridge Car Park
- Croft Park and Ride Car Park
Councillor Maureen Penny, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment, said: “We recognise there are people who are working from home in line with government advice and therefore are not using the season tickets to park their cars while they are at work.
“I am therefore pleased we have been able to introduce this new support measure as we recognise the financial pressure on local businesses and their employees during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“If you park in one of the car parks listed above and have a season ticket or lease a space please do get in touch so we can extend your ticket accordingly.”
Eligible employees of businesses can extend their season tickets or leases by contacting: parking@swindon.gov.uk Any businesses that buy in bulk, or by lease, these will be extended automatically and there is no need to contact the Council’s Parking team.
Further details about the Council’s package of support can be found at: www.swindon.gov.uk/HereForSwindon