§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Transport further to the reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West of 19 December 1980, Official Report, c. 576, when he expects to implement section 7 of the Road Traffic Act 1974 prohibiting the parking of vehicles on verges, central reservations and footways, in view of the continuing hazard to the blind, the sick and the disabled and the obstacles to access by ambulance and fire services caused by such parking.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI disapprove of parking on pavements and verges which is inconsiderate to other people and can be dangerous to the blind and the disabled. However it would not be sensible to bring section 7 into force until local authorities and the police are in a position to implement and enforce it. It is already an offence under existing law to drive on footways, to park on footways in roads where yellow line waiting restrictions are in force, or to park heavy commercial vehicles on footways. It is also an offence to leave a vehicle in such a position as to cause danger, or unnecessary or wilful obstruction.