§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to discourage parking on public footways; and if he will make a statement. [89933]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Highway Code (Rule 218) makes it clear that motorists should not park on the footway or pavement as it can seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, the visually impaired and people with prams and pushchairs. Enforcement is a matter for the police under the law relating to obstruction.
Motorists should also be aware that where there are yellow line or clearway restrictions in operation, it is an offence to park on the adjacent pavement or verge.
Pavement parking is a specific offence in London, unless there is a positively signed exemption. Local authorities in London are generally responsible for enforcement of pavement parking under the Road Traffic Act 1991.
Elsewhere, local authorities can also make pavement parking a specific offence in individual streets or over a wider area by the making of traffic regulation orders and placing the appropriate signs. We are encouraging local authorities outside London to apply for decriminalised parking enforcement powers under the 1991 Act as this offers scope for them to target enforcement where it is most needed—such as pavement parking.
We also issue advice to local authorities on the use of largely self-enforcing methods, such as bollards, to prevent or deter pavement parking (Traffic Advisory Leaflet 4/93).