§ 32. Mr. D. Smithasked the Minister of Transport if he will consult the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in an effort to prevent the continued growth of lorry parking in residential roads and streets of the London and Great London area.
§ Mr. HayWe are already, consulting the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, as well as some of the local authorities and other bodies chiefly concerned with this problem. More lorry parks are needed. Five were opened last year in London, and more are planned. The police encourage drivers to use the off-street parks that exist instead of parking on streets where they may inconvenience traffic or residents.
§ Mr. SmithWill my hon. Friend bear in mind the feeling that the police turn a blind eye to this problem because they are only too glad to get the lorries off the main roads? Will he also bear in mind that very good residential roads are being damaged as a result and that residents are having their sleep disturbed night after night?
§ Mr. HayWe are well aware of this problem and have been in close touch 390 with the police, the local authorities and other bodies about it for some time. Of course, there is no easy or quick answer except the provision of off-street parks on a large scale. We will do all we can to ensure that this is brought about.
§ Mr. MellishIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in some constituencies in London as many as 300 lorries are parking at night and that the disturbance to residents is quite incredible? Will he see what needs to be done, and, if necessary, bring in legislation to deal with this problem, which is getting beyond control?
§ Mr. HayI am advised that legislation is not really the answer, since existing powers of local authorities are quite adequate to deal with the matter. It is a pity, for instance, that Bermondsey Borough Council would not acquire a site which would have provided a lorry park in that area, where the problem is so acute, as the hon. Gentleman knows.