Written question asked by Huw Edwards (Labour) on Monday, 14 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 March 2005. It was answered by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Thursday, 17 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will increase the penalties against car drivers who park by dropped kerbs intended for use by people with disabilities.

Answer: Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will increase the penalties against car drivers who park by dropped kerbs intended for use by people with disabilities. [222677] Charlotte Atkins: We recognise that dropped kerbs are of great benefit to wheelchair users and ambulant disabled people. The specific prohibition on parking at a dropped kerb currently applies only in London, under section 14 of the London local authorities and Transport for London Act 2003. The penalty charge levels for contravening the prohibition in London are decided by the Mayor for London. However, section 86 of part 6 to the Traffic Management Act 2004, once commenced, will allow this prohibition to apply in areas of England and Wales where civil enforcement of parking contraventions is exercised by the local traffic authority and appropriate application for these specific provisions has been made to the relevant national authority. The Secretary of State will be responsible for setting the level of penalties in England. The penalty level will be set when section 86 comes into force, which is currently expected to be in 2006.

Secondary information