With the news today (Tuesday 8 December) that East Dunbartonshire will move back down to level 3 from Friday 11 December, the Council is removing all parking charges from its town centre car parks to support local businesses and boost the local economy.
Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson explained, “These level 4 restrictions have been hard on our residents and on our businesses and I am delighted to be able to announce that as level 3 is reintroduced in East Dunbartonshire, we are supporting our businesses and encouraging our residents to stay local and shop local in the final run up to Christmas.
“We have some excellent and enterprising retailers in our town and village centres and it is important that we do all we can to encourage people to stay local and shop local. Our local cafes can also reopen within the level 3 limits, so whilst you can park for free in all Council car parks in the festive run up, why not also support the cafes that can open with a bite to eat as well.”
Level 4 restrictions with all non-essential shops closed and hospitality restricted to take away and delivery only, have been in place since 20 November and it was today confirmed that East Dunbartonshire would return to level 3 on Friday 11 December.
Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody added, “It has been difficult for our local retailers in level 4 and I hope that our residents take advantage of this free parking to support our town centres and stay local for their Christmas shopping over the coming two weeks.
“I’d also remind everyone that the only way to move from level 3 to level 2 and avoid future further restrictions, is to continue to reduce infection rates. The way to do this is to follow all of the Covid-19 measures - and while out and about in our town centres I’d urge everyone to keep to the 2m distancing, observe good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene and wear a face covering.”
The Council had already announced that there would be free parking on Saturdays in December and this further announcement will see free parking every day for the fortnight leading to Christmas.
Follow us on Twitter @EDCouncil or like us at www.facebook.com/edunbartonshirecouncil