Parking wardens hit Timaru streets to issue 'friendly' reminders

https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/121410159/parking-wardens-hit-timaru-streets-to-issue-friendly-reminders

Parking wardens are back on Timaru's streets but they are not writing tickets just yet.

Timaru District Council spokesman Stephen Doran said parking wardens are now issuing reminder notices in an effort to curb all-day parkers with New Zealand now in Covid-19 alert level three.

The council stopped issuing infringement notices when the country went into level four, in line with government lockdown restrictions, he said. 

''We review this every time the levels change depending on community requirements.

''As we moved into level three where there were more businesses active on the main street the need for some parking management increased.

''This will be reviewed again when we move into level two and more businesses are open.''

He said as there were now significant numbers of cars being parked on streets all day, the reminder notices inform motorists that time limits still apply on Stafford St and surrounding areas. 

''This is to ensure availability of parks in the CBD so customers can continue to have quick and direct access to shops and other services such as banks and cafes, enabling them to have minimum contact with other people.

''We’re just asking people to do the right thing and only use short term parking for the purpose that it’s designed and help ensure people can access the essential goods and services they need.''

Doran said the reminder notices read: ''This is a friendly reminder that parking restrictions still apply and parking officers are now monitoring this area''.

''Please keep to the time limit to consider others who are trying to access businesses safely for pickups during Covid-19.

 ''We’re just asking people to do the right thing and only use short term parking for the purpose that it’s designed, and help ensure people can access the essential goods and services they need.''