I am one of many who, in the face of a global pandemic, chose to devote my career to caring for others. After personally caring for a loved one, my life took an unexpected turn. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the kindest individuals I've ever met - people who provide essential services for minimal pay.

However, we are facing an issue that adds unnecessary stress to our already demanding roles. BANES Council has been issuing parking tickets to key workers like us who hold medical permits. This practice is not only unfair but also undermines our ability to perform our duties effectively.

Due to extremely poor phone service and internet connection as well as problems with the my permit app it is not always possible to spend time trying to activate a parking visit. Not to mention the unforeseen things which could happen on any job and in these circumstances somebody's well-being and mental health will always take priority over a parking ticket. BANES council suggest every time this happens that we have to write to them to object and even then it is not always accepted. We work long hours with little pay often going beyond the call of duty as there is not the money in the council to provide the services which people truly need for mental health. We simply do not have the time to have to follow up every time this happens. It is nothing short of churlish to expect key workers to defend parking tickets when the council no full well what are registration numbers are and we are simply just trying to do our jobs.

Over the Christmas period I have had a bailiff at my door demanding money for unpaid parking tickets I have not paid them and will not either. As key workers we are walking a fine balance with our own mental health to be able to take care of others, and this added stress is totally unacceptable.

According to data from NHS Digital (2019), there are over 1.5 million people employed in the health sector in England alone - many of whom rely on their vehicles for transportation due to irregular shift patterns and emergency call-outs. Penalising these key workers with parking fines is counterproductive and unjust.

We urge Bath Council to reconsider this policy and recognise that those providing essential medical services should be supported rather than penalised. We're not asking for special treatment; we're asking for fairness and understanding during these challenging times.

Please sign this petition if you believe that key medical workers should be exempted from receiving parking tickets while they carry out their vital work in our community.