Car parking charges will resume in Kingston today (May 26) after a period of suspension due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Kingston Council (RBK) suspended parking charges and enforcement two months' ago by (on March 25) as the UK launched stringent quarantine measures to contain Covid-19 coronavirus.

On Saturday a spokesperson for the council announced these typical measures were now being resumed as some of the lockdown rules are eased in the UK as they explained their policy on parking during the pandemic.

"As the amount of traffic on our roads has started to increase, with restrictions to some non essential travel, the council encourages everybody to park considerately and walk or cycle where possible.

"Parking charges and some enforcement activity was suspended from March 25 due in part to a reduced ability to operate normal services to support those both working in the emergency response and impacted by COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions," the spokesperson said.

"In this time we have also introduced free key worker and approved volunteer permits which are valid until the end of June.

"Payment plans and a new temporary COVID-19 permit are now also available to support those that have ongoing difficulties as a result of the pandemic.

"With this in place, we will now be resuming normal parking enforcement services from Tuesday, May 26," they added.

Cllr Hilary Gander, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainable Transport at Kingston Council, meanwhile described the move as "essential" for the borough while insisting people only travel when necessary.

“We ask everyone to park considerately and follow signage as usual. We continue to encourage residents to remain mindful and cautious about travel by only making essential journeys," she said.

"When you do travel, please walk or cycle where possible in order to keep the roads clear for those who need to drive.

“We have invested heavily in our Go Cycle network to help provide a network of safe routes for cyclists across the borough and improvements for pedestrians," Cllr Gander added.

Three car parking sites in the borough will be discounted to help support workers and businesses in the area.

50 per cent discounts will apply to Bittoms, CattleMarket and The Rose car parks, RBK said.

"Parking in our town centre multi storey car parks will currently remain free until 28 May 2020," the council added.