DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (128) issued by The Government News Network
on 29 July 2008
Plans to help
councils tackle inconsiderate parking were outlined in a
consultation published today by Transport Minister Rosie Winterton.
A new parking framework, introduced by the Department for
Transport in March, gave councils in England the power to issue
Penalty Charge Notices to motorists who park at dropped footways
or double park.
Authorities in London have successfully used this tool for a
number of years to help wheelchair users and those with prams
manoeuvre on and off pavements. It has also helped deter motorists
from blocking the road when parking.
To make the power more effective, DfT is today launching a
consultation on plans to allow authorities outside London to
enforce against these specific offences without having to indicate
the restrictions with traffic signs or roads markings.
This will improve national consistency by bringing the rest of
England in line with authorities in London where these
restrictions do not have to be indicated with signs or markings.
It will also help reduce street clutter.
Transport Minister, Rosie Winterton, said:
"Dropped footways are provided to help wheelchair users and
those with powered mobility vehicles or prams get around easily
and safely. They also allow residents to easily reach their
garages or park on their driveways. The Highway Code says that you
should not stop or park in such places and we believe placing of
traffic signs and/or road markings to indicate these restrictions
should not be necessary - as is the case in London.
"The same rules should apply to allow councils to enforce
against double parking - a dangerous activity that causes an
unnecessary obstruction of the road, putting all road users at risk.
"While we believe signs and markings are not necessary in
these specific and restricted circumstances, we expect local
authorities who want to use these powers to publicise their plans
to do so. All other restrictions will continue to require clear
signs and markings."
Welcoming the consultation, Keith Banbury, Chief Executive,
British Parking Association, said:
"The BPA welcomes the Government's decision to consult
on proposals to clarify the law regarding the enforcement of
double parking and the obstruction of footway crossovers where
this is undertaken by local authorities as part of civil parking
enforcement. We must be absolutely sure that this power, which has
been used in London for a number of years, is implemented in a
fair and transparent way and this consultation will allow all
stakeholders to comment on the application of these new rules
across the rest of England."
Notes to editors
1. The introduction on 31 March 2008 of Part 6 of the Traffic
Management Act 2004 allowed local authorities outside London to
issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to motorists who park
alongside dropped kerbs or more than 50cm from the kerb in a
Special Enforcement Area.
2. Powers to enforce dropped footways and parking more than 50cms
from the kerb have been available to local authorities in London
since 2003 and 2000 respectively under local legislation.
3. The powers are not used as a matter of course but tend to be
used when LAs are asked by local residents to do so (usually if
they are blocked in).
4. DfT will be consulting for 12 weeks on an amendment to the
Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and
Wales) Regulations 1996. The amendment, if agreed by the
responses to the consultation, will make it clear that English
local authorities outside London with Civil Parking Enforcement
powers can enforce the restriction on parking at a dropped kerb or
more than 50cm from the kerb without a traffic sign or road
marking specifically indicating the restriction.
5. Updated Operational Guidance to local authorities will
emphasise the need to make to clear to the public that they plan
to enforce these restrictions and set out the circumstances in
which they will use them.
6. We expect the change to come into force next Spring.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk