To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) whether he proposes to review the policy that Residents’ Parking Schemes cannot proceed if there are any objections; and (ii) if so, to detail on what date he proposes to make a statement to Members on the outcome of such a review.

A Residents’ Parking scheme imposes a stringent level of parking control within the area covered by the proposed scheme. My Department’s Residents’ Parking policy is underpinned by the requirement for residents support for proposed schemes; consequently it is essential to gauge the level of support before developing a detailed scheme proposal

When introduced, a Residents’ Parking scheme prohibits all parking with the exception of any vehicle displaying a valid permit or, in some cases, a valid parking ticket. Permit numbers need to be tightly controlled, and a scheme needs to be rigorously enforced if it is to work for the benefit of local residents.

This is made clear to affected residents through both informal and formal consultation. Informal consultation will include letter drops and open evenings where officials are available to answer queries and explain the reasoning behind the scheme. Schemes will only progress to the legislative stage where there is a clear majority in favour of the scheme.

Formal consultation is part of the legislative process for making the necessary traffic regulation order, when the scheme is advertised in the local press and the Department invites views on it. The process is set out in the primary legislation and this clearly states that the Department must consider all representations received. If, following communication with objectors, the Department is unable to overcome the objections, then it must decide to progress with the scheme, re-advertise the scheme, hold a public inquiry or abandon the scheme. In some cases the Department may commence development of an alternative scheme design and recommence the informal consultation process.

The existence of objections to a residents parking scheme will not of itself prevent the scheme being taken to the detailed design stage and that the consideration of representations must be considered at the legislative stage as would be the case for an order for any form of traffic regulation.

Given that the formal consultation process is specified in primary legislation, I can confirm that I have no plans to change what is an accepted and democratic process for implementing traffic regulation orders.