The country has now plunged back into lockdown, yet with some restrictions being less stringent than before, it's confusing to work out what services are running.

Here's a breakdown of the way services at Canterbury City Council are running as of now - and how all residents will be affected.

Park and ride

The bus services running from all three city locations will stop at the end of tomorrow (Friday).

Sturry Road and Wincheap will close completely, while the New Dover Road site will stay open for parking only, at a charge of 50p a day for people who want to walk or cycle into the city centre down the drag past Canterbury College.

Unlike the previous lockdown, Wincheap and Sturry Road will be shut.

Car parking

All car parks currently open across the district will remain so.

From Saturday, all-day parking at Canterbury's for £3.50 at Castle Street multi-storey will cost £3.50 - replicating the price of a park and ride charge.

Current free parking arrangements in non-ANPR car parks for NHS staff and care key workers are continuing, with users advised to display the usual notice.

Bin collections

All collections are continuing as scheduled. There were delays last when Serco crews were depleted by positive Covid tests, but the council says it is now back on track.

In the event of major disruption, residual waste collections will be prioritised over garden waste.

Public toilets

All will stay open for the time being, though it is dependent on the availability of contracted staff to open, close and clean them.

Play areas and parks

They are all remaining open in line with government guidance.

Rough sleepers

In March, all councils were tasked with providing accommodation for the homeless and taking them off the streets.

This time around, the city council says there is no ‘instruction’ from the government to care for rough sleepers during lockdown - but efforts will be to do so.

A statement reads: "We are currently looking at the service we can provide, both in the lockdown period and across winter generally.

"That may include using some hotel provision, but more information will follow on this shortly."

Markets

Unlike in the previous lockdown, markets will be allowed to operate if they are offering essential goods.

The council says: "We believe that the early guidance allows markets to stay active if they are selling essential goods - but we need to see detailed guidance on that."

Business grants

The authority says it is seeking clarification on how the support grants for district businesses will work for the four-week lockdown.

It states: "It seems likely that the same categories of grants will be made available, through us, to businesses, but with slightly different criteria.

"We will receive funding to do this from government, and our job will be to get that funding to businesses as soon as possible - but that will depend on getting the guidance and funding as quickly as possible."

Council-run venues and events

All museums and other venues such as Herne Bay's King’s Hall are closed. Wincheap bootfair is also suspended until December.

Community support

Residents who need extra help are directed to use the Kent Together 24-hour phone line, 03000 41 92 92.

The council says it will keep a close eye on service demand, and "will be ready to respond if any additional local services are required". The community hub at Kingsmead is not being reintroduced.

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