NHS staff are to be given free parking spaces in Cheltenham and Gloucester.

Gloucestershire County Council has secured the dedicated parking spaces for NHS workers as they deal with coronavirus crisis, while ensuring people working from home have places for their vehicles.

The council has also been in talks with GWR about protecting key rail services which coincide with shift patters and have arranged for the bus service which links Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal hospitals to visit Cheltenham Spa train station.

Councillor Dave Norman, cabinet member for parking, said: "At this time of crisis we wanted to safeguard public transport for NHS staff as well as free parking options.

"We have worked with Gloucestershire Hospitals, GWR and Cheltenham Borough Council to find the best options for staff.

"We hope this token of our appreciation will make life a little easier for our NHS heroes."

Dr Andy Seymour, clinical chair at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, welcomed the move.

He said: "Our NHS staff, social care workers, volunteers and other critical staff are working round the clock to care for our residents and save lives, so anything we can do to make their lives easier during this unprecedented challenge is welcome.

"Free car parking will make a big difference and we are grateful to our One Gloucestershire council partners and colleagues for suspending parking charges to help us get on with tackling coronavirus and supporting our communities."

Councillor Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "We are working with our key partners to do all we can to help the response to this unprecedented health crisis.

"We hope that this offer will reduce some of the pressure for our NHS colleagues at this very difficult time."

On street parking

Cheltenham - NHS staff can apply for free NHS staff only bays on Bath Road, College Road and Keynsham Road.

Off street car parks

Gloucester train station - NHS staff can apply for a free car parking permit for three months.

Cheltenham town centre - NHS staff and key workers can apply to the borough council for a free parking permit for three months in Rodney Road, St George's Road, Sherborne Place and Commercial Street car parks.

Public transport

Park and ride at Arle Court (A40 by M5 junction 10) for the 99 bus service to Cheltenham General Hospital or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. From April 6, the 99 will serve Cheltenham Spa train station.

For more information go to gloucestershire.gov.uk/parkingpermits