Shropshire Council has confirmed it is providing free parking in all of its car parks as of Saturday, until further notice.

The move is the latest from the council to ease any pressures brought on by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and follows their decision to re-deploy park and ride buses for NHS workers.

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, urged people to continue to follow government guidelines on physical distancing while using the car parks.

He said: “As well as providing free parking for our fantastic NHS staff, volunteers, social care staff and other key workers, I’m pleased that we can go further and make our car parks free for all users, to help those who need to make essential trips to buy food and medicine.

“We do appeal to everyone that whilst using our car parks please adhere to the government and Public Health England’s advice relating to coronavirus prevention measures, particularly self-distancing.”

The council added that on-street parking charges will remain so that the parking bays can be used for those needing to use the 15 minutes’ ‘pop and shop’ free parking and to provide short-stay and easy access to essential services in the town centres – especially for those who find it difficult to walk significant distances.

People holding a current residents’ permit or season ticket are advised that Shropshire Council will review these at a time when face-to-face contact is permitted and these will remain valid until further notice.

If the permit expires they don’t need to purchase another permit until further notice – and people holding paper permit should continue to display them in their vehicle.

For car park locations, and other parking information, go to www.shropshire.gov.uk/parking