Private car parks across Havering to provide free parking for residents and NHS staff

Rom Valley Retail Park has suspended all warden patrols (credit: Google Maps)

Private car parks across Havering are to provide free parking for residents and NHS staff.

The development follows the local council’s announcement last week that free parking will be provided for all customers during the outbreak.

The changes are aimed to help key workers, residents working from home and those self-isolating.

Several Romford-based car parks have made changes to ensure staff members at Queen’s Hospital can park for free.

The Liberty car park is free to use for all customers between 8am-5pm.

The Mercury car park is providing free parking for NHS staff on its upper level when they show their NHS pass at the kiosk.

Rom Valley Retail Park, which is located near to the hospital, has suspended all warden patrols.

Elsewhere in the borough, NCP, the company that operates the train station car parks at Upminster, Harold Wood, Gidea Park, Rainham and Hornchurch, has introduced free parking at all its car parks for anyone having to make essential journeys and park during the lockdown period.

Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Damian White, said: “Havering is proudly home to many key workers, and providing free parking to those needing to travel during this outbreak is a small step in helping to support the heroes who are keeping our borough safe.

“Thank you to the private companies across Havering who are playing their part by either suspending parking charges or allowing NHS staff to use their facilities for free.

“Not only does free parking allow our residents to continue their vital work, but it also helps to prevent the spread of the virus with touch-free access.

“I strongly encourage any car park operators who are not yet doing this to do their bit and to provide free parking for our Havering heroes.”