Meeting of the Parliament 01 March 2016
I thank the member for that pertinent intervention. I, too, have had similar problems, although perhaps not where a car has taken up the whole pavement. I find it very difficult and, as the member can imagine, I get very nervous when I have to go on to the road to avoid parked cars.
However, we must recognise the unintended consequences of a blanket ban. We would do well to consider the demands that a blanket ban would place on traffic wardens and law enforcement officers. I think that we would agree that traffic wardens and the police have enough on their hands already, and neither they nor the public would welcome a massive increase in their duties. Issuing penalties to motorists who are not impeding pedestrians but still fall foul of a blanket ban would detract from officers’ priorities, as well as simply being unfair. Ken Macintosh speculated on that. I emphasise that the potential to extract extra revenue from the public through parking fines is a negative, not a positive, when applied to drivers who have had no choice and do not even impede pedestrians.
The point is that we should use any chance to reform the approach set out by the bill so that we are careful not to impose counterproductive or unfair burdens as a side effect. Of course we need to tackle the scourge of grossly inconsiderate parking, but let us ensure that we do not create new problems in its place.
Accordingly, I reiterate the Conservatives’ support for the principle that vulnerable pedestrians and their use of pavements should not be blocked in any way by inconsiderate parking. It is only right that we ensure fair access to footways and do not tolerate the denial of free access by a careless minority. However, we have a responsibility to ensure that any legislation passed by this Parliament is proportionate, in that it accurately targets the source of the issue. Should we have a chance to look at this issue again, I hope that we use it carefully to craft a solution that protects both vulnerable pedestrians and the majority of motorists, who are considerate parkers.
17:40