People left puzzled over ‘social distancing’ in village car park near Horsham

People visiting a beauty spot near Horsham were left baffled this week over ‘social distancing’ markings in a car park.
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Ground at the council-owned car park - at Southwater Country Park - had been marked with tape at two metre intervals to keep people apart while queing to pay at a pay machine amid the Government’s new health regulations.

But people queried the point of the ‘social distancing’ when they had to touch the payment machine to pay for their parking.

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One said: “Seems strange that you must keep socially distanced however all can touch the same pay machine to pay for parking.

Southwater Country Park. Photo by Derek Martin ENGPPP00320130506171619Southwater Country Park. Photo by Derek Martin ENGPPP00320130506171619
Southwater Country Park. Photo by Derek Martin ENGPPP00320130506171619

“Why has the council opted to make people risk infection by touching a pay machine in a park?”

But a Horsham District Council spokeswoman said: “Following guidance from the British Parking Association, the council is advising users to pay for their parking at Southwater Country Park using their phones, via the Ringo app, which avoids the need to operate the payment machines.

“For those who are using the payment machines, rest assured that the machines are cleaned regularly and hand washing facilities are also available in the park’s toilets.

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“We ask that all visitors remain alert to the risk of spreading infection by taking precautions such as using hand gels and wearing gloves if they think it is necessary.”

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