London Parking: Controls (Hansard, 15 July 1994)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)
My Lords, the police are now responsible for enforcing most parking controls on red routes, with the local authorities enforcing parking controls elsewhere. The Secretary of State has issued guidance to the London local authorities which details the need for close liaison with the police to ensure that the two systems operate efficiently side by side.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his reply. In those areas where local authorities are now in charge of parking are they free to extend or impose yellow lines, or is that still a function of the police or the Government? Is my noble friend aware that the public are anxious about these matters because it is understood that the new system may be extended to other cities and urban areas?

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, nothing has changed in relation to yellow lines. A local authority has the power to extend yellow lines but before it does so it must consult with the police, advertise its proposals locally and then consider any objections. The vast majority of parking regulations do not require any consultation or approval from the Secretary of State; nor 2089 indeed have they. The possibility of extension of red route schemes to other parts of the country is being considered, but for the moment we are keen to ensure that the system works properly in London and to learn any lessons that we can from experience here before the scheme is extended to other parts of the country.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, many local authorities, Ealing in particular, have serious difficulties with illegal parking. They are not sure whether they can have vehicles removed and they have no equipment for that purpose, as the police have. That is the type of problem that has to be sorted out. Can the noble Lord arrange for discussions between local authorities—certainly in the Greater London area—and the police and so assist local authorities who are very keen to do their best to help the ordinary people of this great city?

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, we have issued a framework for parking enforcement in London entitled Traffic Management and Parking Guidance. If motorists park on yellow lines, local authorities have all the power they need to impose fines, to clamp vehicles or, in certain circumstances, to tow vehicles away. It must be for Ealing to decide whether to deal with the matter in-house or—I should have thought much better —to look for a private contractor who might carry out traffic warden work on its behalf.

§ Lord Strathcarron
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that ice cream vans park for long periods on double yellow lines in Cromwell Road outside the museum, thereby reducing a main thoroughfare from three lanes to two lanes? Nothing seems to be done about it. If any of your Lordships left a car there for any period of time it would probably be towed away. I have not seen the vans for two days; perhaps the ice cream sellers are on holiday.

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, I shall certainly take a look the next time I pass. I can assure my noble friend that ice cream vans are no more exempt from parking regulations than any Members of your Lordships' House. I shall certainly ask my officials to draw the attention of the appropriate London borough to the point he makes.

§ Lord Jenkins of Putney
My Lords, can the noble Lord say what is the position regarding the proposed red route, which I understand has been under discussion for some time, from Sloane Square down King's Road to Putney Bridge?

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, one pilot red route is currently in operation. We are looking at how it is working and what we can learn from it. As I believe I explained in answer to a previous Question in your Lordships' House, the London traffic director is looking at additional red routes on which it is hoped traffic will flow freely. That will help not only the motorist but also public transport.

§ Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove
My Lords, does the Minister agree that from the point of view of the public the jury is still out on red routes? Can the Minister say whether there has been a reduction in 2090 pollution as a result of the red routes? That was one of the original reasons for their introduction in addition to the speeding up of traffic. Will he also note the feeling of the House in regard to parking and in particular illegal parking? I am sure that the noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Croy, is also concerned about the abuse of the orange badge on many occasions.

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Carmichael, asks a number of questions. As a result of the red route pilot scheme, traffic journeys are now 20 per cent. faster and 40 per cent. more reliable. More importantly, bus journeys are also 20 per cent. faster. Reliability is slightly less, at 33 per cent. It looks as though the red route is making progress. Obviously, if traffic is flowing more smoothly and is not being held up in queues, the level of pollution is bound to be reduced.
I have forgotten the noble Lord's last point. I am told that it relates to parking. The position in relation to parking is that the Government believe that it is right and proper that authorities should impose all the parking regulations in order to help other motorists.