PARKING meters are being cleaned frequently across Northwich, but drivers should still wash their hands regularly

That is the message from Cheshire West and Chester Council following concerns over the safety of using pay and display machines across town during the pandemic.

Michael Cooper was one of many visitors to Marbury Country Park on Saturday, where drivers had to use the meters to pay for parking, but no hand sanitiser was provided.

"We visited Marbury on Saturday and it was as busy as I have seen it," he said.

"Cars were parked in all the overspill car parks, visitors were being very aware of social distancing which is not a problem in those extensive grounds.

"However, CWAC has reinstated car parking fees. This firstly led to long queues to pay, some 20 people long, and secondly there was no sanitation at all on the cash machine.

"To obtain a ticket it is necessary to push at least eight buttons. We are told to sanitise shared surfaces but I would guess that at least a couple of hundred people touched those buttons that day.

"If they cannot provide a safe environment they should not open the pay machines."

Shoppers in town also used parking meters over the first weekend since shops reopened.

The council says it is regularly cleaning parking meters, but insists all residents should wash their hands after touching outdoor surfaces, in line with Government guidance.

A CWAC spokesman said: "The payment machines in our car parks are being regularly cleaned and disinfected.

READ > Demolition of fire damaged Northwich Outdoor Market to start next week

"Generally, individuals are being strongly encouraged to wash their hands frequently and to use hand sanitiser to prevent the spread of infection as there are many things people will come into contact with – including pedestrian crossing buttons, hand rails and keypads."

Residents should consider keeping their own hand sanitiser with them to keep their hands clean, in line with Government advice.