Coronavirus: Why Edinburgh should rethink its parking charges – Helen Martin

MY friend works for the NHS at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The cost of driving and parking is such that she has to travel by bus. Yet the public are now advised to avoid public transport as much as possible because of its contagion potential.

For all the people in our city, driving cars is being discouraged for the sensible aim of carbon neutrality and reduced pollution. But right now, if people can afford parking charges, it’s the safest way to avoid the virus, especially for those who are older and at greater risk.

We have buses and trams with sealed windows and circulating heating. Ideally everyone would wear rubber or latex gloves, or carry bacterial wipes to clean stop buttons, any plastic or metal around their seat, poles, and handles. Many buses are half or almost completely empty. But at busier times on busier routes in rush hours passengers can be closely forced next to others who might carry the virus.

Adding all that together, wouldn’t it be reasonable for the council to consider easing back on car prohibition until the virus is kaput? Perhaps reducing parking charges?

As we all focus on UK and Scottish governments’ responsibility for dealing with the Covid-19 disaster and helping the public, shouldn’t there be local support? PFI Consort who run ERI parking could lift all charges from NHS workers, cleaners and porters.

Failing to pay council tax for one month, people get hit with the whole year’s bill. Shouldn’t that now be changed? If someone becomes isolated, infected or their job is shut down and they fail to pay their monthly tax, how can they afford the rest?