§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the difficulties for essential services in travelling through narrow streets in major cities, where double parking of vehicles prevents the free flow of traffic, and of the danger to other drivers and pedestrians because the view is obscured; and whether he will seek to make it illegal to have other than unilateral parking on public highways which are less than 15 feet wide.
Mr. Bob BrownAs my hon. Friend's predecessor informed my hon. Friend on 25th November, 1968, we are well aware of the difficulties and dangers which arise from vehicles being parked in narrow streets. Local traffic authorities have a duty under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967 to exercise the functions conferred on them by the Act to secure the expenditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular traffic and pedestrians. 295W It is for these authorities to impose whatever waiting restrictions they consider necessary on such narrow streets. The police may also take action in respect of any parked vehicle which is causing an obstruction. I see no need to revise the law to deal with this particular situation. —[Vol. 774, c. 36.]