Eric Pickles plan to give 15-minute grace for parking on double yellow lines denounced as ‘unworkable’
There can be no doubting the populist credentials of Eric. There is one positive in this latest knee jerk approach to de-regulation based on whatever butterfly seems to be passing through his mind at a given time. It is that it draws attention to the need for on-going pressure to keep the debate about viable town centres in the public eye. This article tells us that not many people are turned on by his double yellow idea:
Plans to grant motorists a 15-minute grace window allowing them to park on double yellow lines whilst they pop into a shop came under fire yesterday from local authorities, road safety campaigners and even drivers’ groups who described them as dangerous and flawed.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is backing the scheme, which he believes could help regenerate high streets where decline is often blamed on ruthlessly efficient traffic wardens and costly parking.
Councils were urged to rein in what was described as an “over-zealous enforcement culture” which has seen illicit parking generate more than £1 million a day in fines for town hall chiefs.
Mr Pickles floated the idea in an article in The Daily Telegraph, prompting speculation that it marked a split within the Coalition after the Liberal Democrat transport minister Norman Baker said the idea was “unworkable”. However, Business Secretary Vince Cable later expressed “sympathy” for Mr Pickles’ plans.
Under the proposal those who took longer than a quarter of an hour would face fines of £130. Currently motorists who flout restrictions must pay £70 outside London and £130 in the capital