Motorists will no longer be able to park for free in restricted zones across Watford and Hertsmere from later this month as the coronavirus lockdown is eased.

Watford and Hertsmere Borough Councils are re-introducing parking enforcement in controlled parking zones as life begins “to return to some degree of normality”.

For the past two months, the councils relaxed normal parking arrangements and has not penalised drivers who do not have permits nor purchased a pay and display voucher.

Enforcement action has only been taken against drivers that parked dangerously, blocked junctions or caused an obstruction.

Below is what you need to know about parking enforcements being re-introduced in your area:

Watford:

The council will bring back parking enforcement from June 15, saying that it expects to see an increase in traffic on Watford’s roads as shops start to reopen.

From June 15, motorists will need to hold a permit or visitor voucher when parking in a permit or shared use bay and will need to purchase a ticket to park in pay and display bays during enforced hours.

Permit holders and visitor voucher holders are no longer able to park on yellow lines during restricted times either. Existing permits will be extended to compensate for the 12 week reduced service.

Health care and critical workers can still park free of charge in the town if they display the national parking pass issued by their employer.

The following zones enforcement hours are as follows:

• Zones A, B/C, G & E: 8am – 6.30pm, Mon – Sun (restrictions normally applies to 10pm)

• Zones D, F, J, K, L M/N, S & T: 8am – 6.30pm, Mon – Sat

• Zone U: 10am – 12pm, Mon – Fri

• Zone V: Restrictions are not re-introduced until September

• Zone W: 10am – 11am, Mon – Fri

• Permit holders whose zones normally are restricted until 10pm will not need to hold a permit after 6.30pm and also zones and match day restrictions do not apply.

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said “As we start to ease lockdown measures, an increasing number of shops and other facilities will start to reopen.

“This will mean that traffic on our streets will start to increase again. Therefore we will need to take more action to help our residents to park their cars – which is why these schemes were introduced in the first place."

Hertsmere:

Hertsmere Borough Council has said some parking controls will be enforced again in the borough from Monday June 8.

Parking charges will resume in council car parks and pay and display bays so motorists will need to purchase tickets.

Enforcement will also resume in some controlled parking zones (CPZ) but not all.

Enforcement will take place in residential streets off Shenley Road, Borehamwood, and Watling Street, Radlett, - where social distancing measures have been introduced like blocking off some car parking spaces.

CPZ's elsewhere in the borough will see enforcement reintroduced from July 6.

This is partly because the council needs time to process new parking permit applications and renew permits which have expired during lockdown.

Cllr Jean Heywood, Portfolio Holder for Transport, said: “We made adjustments to our services, in line with government guidelines, as part of the huge effort by everyone to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

“Parking and traffic management is an important public service, which provides benefits for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and the wider community. Those benefits include maintaining road safety and access to jobs, goods and services. This has perhaps never been more important than now as we have had to respond to unprecedented changing demands and priorities.

“As traffic on the roads increases due to the lifting of many lockdown rules, a carefully phased reintroduction of previously relaxed parking management and enforcement is essential to help manage a safe and controlled recovery. This is especially true for the return to work and school for many over the coming days and weeks.

“We will be ensuring residents are updated of the reintroduction of changes through our website, social media channels and at the car parks themselves.”

Three Rivers:

In Three Rivers, parking restrictions still remain relaxed as the district council says it has not made a decision over enforcing parking controls.

The council said it is reviewing its current position “keeping in mind the impact on our high streets, businesses, residents and the wider public”.