PARKING patrols are to resume across East Dunbartonshire as traffic levels continue to rise.

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, all parking management and Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) activity was suspended.

But in recent weeks and as a first phase, community wardens have been carrying out DPE patrols on an advisory basis in town centres and at schools, to coincide with pupils returning.

During the second phase, from Monday, August 17, DPE patrols will result in parking charge notices being issued if breaches occur in on-street locations across the whole council area.

The community wardens will also be enforcing the new Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) which have been introduced near schools to increase safety and allow for physical distancing.

The final phase, from September 14, will then see the return of off-street parking charges and full enforcement for all on-street and off-street breaches.

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And from the same date, the council announced that Bishopbriggs’ Kenmure car park will also be coming into operation as a charging car park.

Vaughan Moody, joint council leader, said: “The delayed pace of this phased return has been designed to help support the return to school of our pupils and also the return to work of our residents and visitors to our local businesses.

“However, we must now look to ensure parking is safe within our town centre locations.

“Parking and traffic management is an important public service which benefits pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, businesses, and the wider community.

“Benefits include ensuring better road safety and access to jobs, goods and services, all of which has never been more important following this unprecedented period.

“The resumption has been planned in a carefully phased way with timescales being developed using guidance from the Scottish Government, British Parking Association and COSLA.”

Andrew Polson, also joint council leader, added: “Demand for town centre parking is likely to increase significantly in the coming weeks and public transport may not be suitable for vulnerable groups at this time. Therefore, traffic management is more important than ever.”