The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 15 January 2007:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question, if he will introduce a permit scheme to exempt residents of Derry City Centre from new car-parking restrictions introduced under the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development’s contract with NCP.
As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply
I can advise that currently there is no scheme which allows Roads Service to exempt residents in Derry City Centre from the normal requirements to comply with current parking regulations, other than those that exist within the Pedestrian Zone, to which residents’ access is permitted by permit. I can also advise that Roads Service has no plans at present to introduce such a scheme.
I am sure you will appreciate that waiting restrictions are introduced either to facilitate the safe movement of traffic, or for traffic progression reasons and that permitting residents to park at these locations, during periods when restrictions are in force, would reduce the likelihood of these objectives being achieved.
Following the recent transfer for parking enforcement from the PSNI to Roads Service, our priority is to use resources to ensure effective and consistent enforcement of current waiting restrictions. In advance of the transfer, a review of waiting restrictions was carried out throughout the city. As a consequence, amendments to some waiting restrictions were introduced to facilitate residents where the restriction was deemed no longer appropriate or necessary. I can also advise that we are considering further changes in the Strand Road area with a view to providing additional space for short term parking. If there is any particular location where you would wish Roads Service to undertake a review of the current restrictions, I would ask you to contact the local traffic engineer, Keith Cradden, telephone 028 7132 1653, who will consider the issue.