People with car parking season tickets for Swindon’s two main country parks will have them extended by Swindon Borough Council as part of a series of measures designed to support residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Car parks in the Council’s country parks at Lydiard Park and Coate Water were closed at the end of March in response to the Government’s advice on social distancing and essential travel.

But as season ticket holders for both parks were unable to use the parking facilities for several weeks, the Council is extending valid season tickets by the number of days the car parks were closed without any additional charge.

People with parking season tickets for Lydiard Park, or a dual permit for both Lydiard and Coate Water, will see their permits extended by up to 44 days. Those people with permits for Coate Water only, will receive an extension of up to 48 days owing to the fact the car park at Coate Water has been closed for longer.

Earlier this month, the Council extended 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.

The season ticket extensions are 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.

Councillor Maureen Penny, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment, said: “I am extremely pleased we have been able to extend the parking season tickets at Lydiard and Coate Water, which follows on from the support we have been able to offer businesses and employees.

“The decision to close the car parks in our country parks was taken in line with government guidance at the time, but it is only right that those people who are great supporters of Lydiard and Coate Water and have parking season tickets do not miss out on the time the car parks were closed.

“If you have a season ticket at either Lydiard or Coate Water please contact our Parking Services team at parking@swindon.gov.uk.”

Further details about the Council’s package of support can be found at: www.swindon.gov.uk/HereForSwindon