§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the current statutes and regulations concerning the parking of motor vehicles on footways; and if he is contemplating a change in either the law or regulations.
§ Mr. HoramLocal authorities have general powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967 to ban footway parking on particular stretches of road; and where yellow line waiting restrictions are in force they apply to the footway as well as to the carriageway. In addition, section 36A of the Road Traffic Act 1972 specifically prohibits vehicles over three tons unladen weight from parking wholly or partly on verges, central reservations and footways, except in an emergency or for essential loading or unloading; and section 36B of the 1972 Act empowers my right hon. Friend to extend this prohibition to all other vehicles in respect of roads subject to a speed limit of 40 m.p.h. or less. This ban will come into force on 1 October 1980. Certain categories of vehicle will be exempted by 477W regulations to be made by my right hon. Friend; and local authorities have power to exempt particular roads or stretches of road.