Written question asked by Lord Allen of Abbeydale (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Davies of Oldham (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 July 2006.

Roads: Parking of Security Vans

Question: Whether vans belonging to security companies, such as Securicor, are given a blanket exemption from parking restrictions.

Answer: No. Some exemptions are statutory, such as those for disabled blue badge holders, and others are invariably written into local authority traffic regulation orders, which local traffic authorities are empowered to make to create parking restrictions under powers in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, such as for vehicles used by the fire brigade, ambulance service and police, or vehicles being used to remove an obstruction. Also, there is a general exemption in ““no waiting”” areas for loading and unloading. In areas covered by decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE), local authorities issue waiver permits to allow vehicles to park, where parking restrictions apply, on specified stretches of road for specified periods. Where DPE powers do not apply, the police and traffic wardens carry out this task.

Secondary information