To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what measures his Department is taking to address the issue of cars parking on footpaths on the Lisburn Road which negatively impacts people with accessibility issues.

The member may be aware whilst there is no general prohibition on footway parking, with the exception of the parking of heavy commercial vehicles on footways, if a vehicle is parked in such a manner that it is causing an obstruction, on the footway or carriageway, the police have the ability to enforce the obstruction by means of a Non-Endorsable Fixed Penalty Notice. However, if parking of this nature occurs in the future, local police can be contacted on telephone number 101.

Where there are waiting restrictions, these can be enforced by my Department’s Traffic Attendants. It should be noted, on waiting restrictions vehicles are permitted to load / unload goods or set down / pick up passengers and Blue Badge holders also have a concession to park for up to three hours.