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Consultation to allow care workers to park on double yellows

80% said it would making caring for clients easier.

Devon County Council has launched proposals to allow care and health professionals to use yellow lines restrictions when visiting clients at home.

The current exemption allows care workers and other health care staff to use on-street pay and display, limited waiting and residents parking for free if they are delivering essential services to residents in their own homes.

But a new Traffic Regulation Order, advertised today (Thursday 1 August 2019), proposes to extend this exemption to include parking on single and double yellow lines - but only when alternative parking isn't available.

The council says the proposed extension acknowledges that in some communities, parking can be limited and can add to the stress of an already demanding job. It proposes to launch this enhanced scheme from this autumn on a trial basis. 


Councillor Stuart Hughes Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management said: “The present exemption scheme has been a great success, but I recognise that parking in some communities continues to be difficult and driving around trying to find a parking spot can add to the stress. This was a common theme from care workers in our consultation last year and that's why I endorsed plans to look at how we can further improve the scheme."

 

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Services said: “Health and care workers help some of the most vulnerable in our communities and improve their quality of life by helping them remain living in their homes for longer. By providing the flexibility they need, it will make it easier for them to do their jobs. It's no secret that the care sector is under pressure. These plans will help care and health workers to arrive at their appointments in good time. This will improve their access to clients living at home and ultimately benefit the whole community."

Details of the Traffic Regulation Order are available to view here.
 
You can provide feedback until Thursday 22 August 2019.

Objections and other comments specifying the proposal and the grounds on which they are made must be in writing to:
County Solicitor
County Hall
Topsham Road
Exeter
EX2 4QD
or
Complete the comments form here, by 22 August 2019.
 

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