To apply for a permit, NHS employees will need to provide proof that they live in the Fareham borough, together with a copy of their NHS hospital ID, and their vehicle registration.

This new initiative is designed to help busy hospital workers who need to pop into town for some shopping after a long shift.

I am delighted that we are now in a position to formalise a scheme to ensure NHS hospital workers continue to benefit from free parking in Fareham; they are doing such a superb job. I do hope that this small gesture goes some way towards thanking them for their ongoing hard work in these exceptional times.”

To apply for a free parking permit, NHS workers who live in the Fareham borough and are hospital-based should email parkingservices@fareham.gov.uk to request an application form.

The scheme comes into effect from 1st October and those who have successfully applied for a parking permit will be able to use Osborn Road multi storey, Fareham Shoppers’ multi storey and Market Quay car parks. A physical permit will not be issued as automatic number plate recognition technology will be used.

The Council introduced free parking for all key workers in May then all NHS workers from July. The permit arrangement from October will be for all NHS hospital workers through to the end of March 2021.