Pay and display and council car parking charges in Southport, Formby and across Sefton will be back in force from next week (Monday, May 18).
Charges at all car parks and on-street parking spots administered by Sefton Council have been free since the coronavirus outbreak began in March.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that some coronavirus lockdown measures would be eased with some businesses, including garden centres and estate agents, would be reopening, although with strict social distancing measures in place.
Pay and display and car parking charges, which have been suspended for the past few months, will now come back into force next week.
A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Many Sefton Council car parks have remained open during lockdown.
“With the exception of park and ride and multi-storey car parks, all other council-run car parks will be open next week and charges will apply to these car parks and on-street parking.
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“The authority however is not responsible, nor has any control over the operation of privately owned car parks.”
Car parks at Central 12 in Southport and Ocean Plaza are among those which are not council controlled.
Ocean Plaza car parking charges will remain free until June 1, when they will resume.
A Sefton Council spokesperson said: “Civil Enforcement Officers will be following all guidance on social distancing.
“These officers are providing a vital and much needed service to ensure our borough’s incredible emergency services and NHS staff are able to freely move throughout Sefton without obstruction.
“We know the vast majority of our residents will appreciate that this is an important service and that our operatives are simply doing their job.
“However we will not tolerate any abuse, either verbal, written or physical, towards officers who are simply carrying out their day to day duties.
“Moreover, we would not expect significant numbers using these car parks as the vast majority of our residents should be staying at home, in alignment with the national guidance.”
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