To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to amend the Road Traffic Act 1974 to enable local authorities to designate areas in which footway parking can be prohibited.

[holding answer 2 March 1992]: The provision in the Road Traffic Act 1974 was repealed by the Road Traffic Act 1991. We are committed to seeking effective alternative powers to enable local authorities to deal with the problem of parking on footways when a suitable legislative opportunity arises. Meanwhile, general parking restrictions and in some cases local Act provisions, can offer a remedy. The use of high kerbs and other road engineering measures such as bollards can also prove a highly effective deterrent to footway parking, provided proper provision is made for the needs of pedestrians with disabilities.