The Petition of the business owners and customers of Ablewell Street, Walsall,
Declares that the Petitioners are opposed to the parking restrictions on Ablewell Street.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to encourage Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to allow a parking amnesty of at least 30 minutes.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Valerie Vaz, Official Report, 24 May 2011; Vol. 528, c. 891.]
[P000923]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
The responsibility for parking restrictions rests with the relevant local authority and it is for them to decide on appropriate policies that balance the needs of local residents, emergency services, local businesses, and those who work in and visit the area.
Local authorities have a crucial role to play in relieving congestion and improving road safety and the environment.
Where problems occur, the Government look to local authorities to use their traffic management powers to address these issues which may include the introduction of parking restrictions to balance the supply and demand for road space in the light of local needs and circumstances.
Where local authorities have obtained civil parking enforcement (CPE) powers under the Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004, they can enforce their own parking policies. The Government recommend that all local authorities take on CPE powers so that the police may concentrate on the more serious priorities.
The Government do not intervene in local parking matters as to do so would contradict the coalition Government’s policy to promote localism.