Wokingham Borough Council-owned car parks in towns and village centres across the area will offer free parking on 5, 12 and 19 December.

It’s especially important for communities across the borough to support their local high streets this year, with many independent businesses dealing with disruption due to Covid-19.

Where car parking is free

Car parks included in this festive offer are:

• Polehampton Close, Twyford 
• School Lane, Wargrave 
• Shute End, Wokingham 
• Denmark Street, Wokingham 
• Easthampstead Road (East and West), Wokingham 
• Cockpit Path, Wokingham 
• Headley Road, Woodley 
• Crockhamwell Road, Woodley 
• Lytham Road (East and West), Woodley 
• Former M&S car park/Rose Street car park, Wokingham
• Carnival Pool Multi Storey car park, Wokingham

Supporting local businesses

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said: “We’re pleased to be able to offer free Saturday parking again this year in the run up to Christmas, with it being especially important to support local shops and traders this year. 

“We know our residents want to support businesses in the borough in the run up to Christmas and make the most of the fantastic shops we have to offer, providing parking on these days free of charge helps them to do this.”

Further information

Although parking will be free on the three Saturdays before Christmas, maximum stay limits and disabled parking bays will still be enforced and any vehicles breaching these regulations will be subject to the usual Penalty Charge Notices being issued.  

It should also be noted that the free parking offer applies only to council car parks, and does not apply to privately managed car parks.

Many people  across Wokingham Borough  became unpaid carers overnight when lockdown was imposed in March, increasing their responsibilities to look after  older, disabled or seriously ill  loved ones and relatives instantly.   

Some carers found themselves in a particularly challenging position. Healthwatch Wokingham is launching its Caring During Covid-19 campaign to give unpaid carers a voice.  

Healthwatch Wokingham  want to hear what  caring during the pandemic  has been like and how things need to change going forward, particularly with the virus still in circulation.   

Neil Bolton-Heaton, Head of Healthwatch Wokingham, said: “Many unpaid carers have already told us their stories about caring during Covid; these have included issues accessing services, medication and general support but also that their caring responsibilities have increased. Through our project Caring During Covid-19, we want to have a greater understanding of the issues they face and would encourage all those caring for a family member or loved one to come forward and speak with us.”

Carers can take part in the survey in  a number of  ways:   

• Complete the survey online via our website:  www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk
• Call us:  0118 418 1418  
• Email:  carers@healthwatchwokingham.co.uk 
• Contact via social media channels:  Facebook or  Twitter   . 

Write to:    Healthwatch Wokingham,    Town Hall, Market Place  , Wokingham, RG40 1AS  .