BUS lane fines and parking tickets will be issued again in Bradford from Monday, after being eased during lockdown.

Bradford Council has announced that after no enforcement during lockdown, bus lane enforcement will begin again from June 1, and traffic wardens will once again be issuing fines to people parking illegally.

And parking charges will soon be returning.

However, Council leaders have agreed to continue to allow health and social care workers to park free of charge in the Bradford district.

The workers who will benefit are health and social care workers, people working for the NHS and Covid-19 volunteers. This includes people who work in care homes and home care workers.

To qualify, they need to register their car registration number and send proof of their employment to NHSparking@bradford.gov.uk.

First new measures to allow social distancing rolled out on District's streets

Pay and display charge enforcement will be reinstated and free parking will no longer be available for Council staff and volunteers, unless they meet the criteria.

The decision to reintroduce enforcement of parking restrictions was taken following consultation with other local authorities and guidance received from the British Parking Association and The Local Government Association.

For the past week, Council wardens have been issuing warnings, but not fines, to people breaking parking rules.

From Monday they will recommence bus lane enforcement and issuing of Penalty Charge Notices on-street and off-street.

From Monday June 15 parking charges will be reinstated and warning notices issued for one week for non-compliance of pay and display related contraventions.

From June 22 Penalty Charge Notices will be issued for all contraventions including pay and display.

A Council spokesman said: "As people are being encouraged to use their cars to get to work or to cycle, we need to ensure that bus lanes are free of other vehicles to ensure bus journey times.

"The re-introduction of charges encourages appropriate parking and ensures that there is a turnover of spaces in key locations. This benefits visitors and shoppers as it allows parking close to amenities. Car parks remain operational for longer stay purposes.

"We will be following British Parking Association (BPA) advice and particularly focusing on dangerous and obstructive parking and loading bays, yellow lines, bus stops, disabled bays, taxi ranks, dropped kerbs, pedestrian crossings, tactile pavements, limited waiting, cycle lanes and time restricted areas."

Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “By continuing to provide free parking we are supporting the critical role played by NHS workers and carers and enable them to continue to provide essential services to our most vulnerable residents.

“As the district moves slowly towards the easing of lockdown guidelines and the Government announcement that retail can start again from 15 June, it is essential that residents and businesses can start to go about their normal day as usual. The return of parking services will encourage motorists to park more responsibly. Disabled bays will be available for badge holders who require access close to the location they are visiting, safety will be improved due to the enforcement of dangerous and anti-social parking on pavements and commercial vehicles will be able to load and unload.

“We are informing people well ahead of when the changes will be made to make sure that everyone is aware and to give time for those eligible to apply for a virtual permit. We will also be issuing messages closer to the date each change is being introduced.”

Further information on how Care workers and NHS staff can qualify for free parking can visit here

Approval of a virtual permit request will allow the named vehicle to use all Bradford Council car parks without charge. This concession will be available over the entire district all days and hours of operation.