Hansard

I congratulate my colleague Dennis Robertson on introducing the bill. I fully agree with the bill’s policy objectives of protecting the rights of badge holders and strengthening the existing framework of the scheme. I also agree that, without the blue badge, many disabled people would be confined to their homes, as members have mentioned.

For me, that is central to the bill’s objectives and resonates well with my proposed responsible parking bill, whose policy objectives are to allow freedom of movement for all pedestrians by restricting parking at dropped kerbs, parking on pavements and double parking. It seems to me that those two bills and the act that Jackie Baillie introduced, which Mark Griffin mentioned, complement one another. Irresponsible parking affects the ability of people—especially the disabled, the elderly and those with visual impairments—to get around, to access local services and to otherwise enjoy the freedom of movement that many of us take for granted.

Unfortunately, unlike the bill that we are debating, my proposed bill appears to have fallen foul of parliamentary process and has not moved forward at the same speed, even though it was lodged some months earlier. I am obviously frustrated by that, as are many members of the public across the country, judging by the correspondence that I have received regarding my bill. Perhaps Dennis Robertson could give me some sage advice on the best way to move forward my proposed responsible parking bill. I will have a chat with him after the debate.

The committee’s report states:

“On-street parking enforcement is the responsibility of the police and local authorities. The police are responsible where parking remains criminalised ... and Police Scotland use police officers or police traffic wardens to enforce parking restrictions. Local authorities are responsible in areas where parking has been decriminalised”.

In giving evidence to the committee on behalf of Police Scotland, Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson stated:

“We are changing the way in which we conduct parking enforcement by removing the traffic warden role. However, we are committed to tackling dangerous or obstructive parking and the misuse of blue badges, including parking in disabled bays. That commitment will remain after the traffic warden service ceases.”

I welcome that. However, his colleague Superintendent Craig Naylor went on to say:

“Some of the paperwork that”

has been

“pulled together mentions that people say that it is hard to get in touch with a police officer to deal with abuses”.—[Official Report, Local Government and Regeneration Committee, 26 March 2014; c 3308, 3316.]

People can dial 101 to contact the police, which Police Scotland says is a good way to go about reporting abuses, but many of my constituents tell me—I presume that other members hear the same from their constituents—that that is not the case in dealing with parking offences. They are informed that many parking offences are under the control of local authorities, although that is clearly not the case. We need some information and clarity on the issue. As others have stated, the police have responsibility for such issues. I would like some clarity on the matter—perhaps I should write to Police Scotland myself. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities also highlighted its concerns about enforcement in its submission to the committee.

I agree with Kevin Stewart, the minister and Mark Griffin that we need multi-agency working, more information and more education to ensure that people know exactly who is responsible. There is much confusion over who is responsible for what and over where people can and cannot park—for example, there is confusion about parking on yellow lines, as Mark Griffin mentioned. I would welcome the opportunity to look at the issues and concerns around parking and enforcement with a view to adopting a consistent approach to achieving the bill’s aims.

In conclusion, I echo Dennis Robertson: the bill is about not just parking, but enabling people to have a life. I fully support the bill.