§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many parking fines were incurred by Parcelforce vehicles in(a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997 and (d) 1998; and how many Parcelforce vehicles there are currently. [101680]
116W
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonParcelforce does not keep records of parking fines centrally, and this information could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.
The Road Traffic Act Regulation 1984 gives local authorities the power to make traffic regulation orders to restrict parking. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions issue guidance to local authorities to give exemptions to the Post Office when carrying out statutory duties using licensed Royal Mail liveried vehicles engaged in the collection and delivery of letters in accordance with the statutory duty of the Post Office for the conveyance of letters. There is no similar guidance for Parcelforce vehicles. Parking fines are being incurred by Parcelforce drivers while on delivery as a result of vehicles which are parked illegally.
Parcelforce Worldwide currently operates a total fleet of around 7,000 operational vehicles, the main types are:
Quantity Vehicle type 500 Articulated motive units 600 Trailers 3,000 35 tonne vans 1,000 75 tonne trucks 120 Car derived vans