Tory plan to give shoppers 15 minutes free parking on double yellow lines is 'unworkable and dangerous', Lib Dems warn

  • Traffic wardens would not issue fines to drivers making short trips
  • Eric Pickles wants to encourage more trade to struggling town centres
  • AA says many 'historic' double yellow lines could be removed altogether

By Gerri Peev and Matt Chorley

PUBLISHED: 21:31 EST, 28 July 2013 | UPDATED: 19:08 EST, 29 July 2013

A Cabinet minister’s proposal to allow shoppers to park for 15 minutes on double yellow lines has been dismissed by a Coalition junior minister as ‘dangerous and unworkable’.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, a Tory, suggested the scheme as a way to help ailing retailers.

But transport minister Norman Baker, whose Liberal Democrat colleagues actually want to increase parking charges, claimed the plan would increase congestion and drive people away.

Free for all: Motorists would not be hit with fines if they leave their car on double yellow lines for up to quarter of an hour

Free for all: Motorists would not be hit with fines if they leave their car on double yellow lines for up to quarter of an hour

He said: ‘The idea of actually having cars parked for a very long period of time on a double yellow line undermines the purposes of the yellow line and I’m advised it’s unworkable. They are there for a reason, often for safety reasons.’

He added: ‘I’m not in favour of motorists who park illegally, blocking parking spaces for those who want to use them properly.’

 

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But sources close to Mr Pickles argue that parking fines are doled out too eagerly, and are partly responsible for killing off the high street.

Brandon Lewis, the Tory communities minister, said: ‘This Government has scrapped Whitehall rules that previously told councils to hike up parking charges, adopt draconian enforcement and impose arbitrary limits on off-street parking  spaces.

Transport minister Norman Baker said the idea of allowing 15minutes free parking on double yellow lines was unworkable
Eric Pickles wants to revive the British high street by giving motorists a grace period for parking

Clash: Lib Dem transport minister Norman Baker (left) said the idea of allowing 15 minutes of free parking on double yellow lines was unworkable but Tory Eric Pickles (right) said it could help revive the high streets

'Councils now need to play their part in reining back in the over-zealous culture of municipal parking enforcement.

'Councils now need to play their part in reining back in the over-zealous culture of municipal parking enforcement'

Brandon Lewis, Tory communities minister

‘They should adopt a common sense approach. Ministers are considering what further steps can be taken to ensure that town hall parking  policies and practices support local high streets.’

Even Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, signalled his support for Mr Pickles, rather than his Lib Dem  colleague. He said he had ‘a lot of sympathy with what Eric Pickles is trying to do’.

‘I think a lot of small businesses are driven to distraction by over-zealous enforcement of the parking rules, so  I think a little bit of common sense and flexibility is very much to be welcomed,’ he said.

Parking attendants would not issue fines to anyone nipping into a shop or leaving their car on double yellow lines for up to quarter of an hour

Parking attendants would not issue fines to anyone nipping into a shop or leaving their car on double yellow lines for up to quarter of an hour

The Lib Dems want to lift the fines cap for illegal parking.

'Many double lines are there for historical reasons and could be lifted'

Edmund King, AA president

At present, it is set at a maximum of £70 outside London and £130 in the capital.

AA president Edmund King said: ‘Rather than just allow drivers to park on double yellow lines, a thorough review of the lines would be more effective.

‘Many double lines are there for historical reasons and could be lifted.’

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People already park on double yellow lines for shopping by abusing the disabled badge

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When it comes to "unworkable and dangerous", no doubt the Lib Dems and their need for a coalition to exercise power should know all about that

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MR PICKLES IS FAT AND UGLY. AND NO AMONT OV MONEY WILL EVER CHANGE THAT!!!! HAAAA

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We lived in France for many years & there was always a machine that gave 15 mins free parking so as you could grab a newspaper etc. It worked beautifully.

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Aberystwyth tried it last year! Chaos, arguments, punchups!

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Bonkers. Double yellow lines are usually there for a reason. Why not simply make it easier for people to park? Free for, say, 15 minutes for people stopping to get a quick something and then slowly escalating charges...

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Dear Mr Pickles. These Yellow Lines were installed to ensure the free flow of traffic through our towns and on bad bends humpback bridges etc. I dread to think what our town would be like if everyone decided to park on the yellow lines in order to purchase from a charity shop of put a few quid in the savings bank or even buy a house twenty minutes would ott give time to eat a Chinees, Turkish, Tywan, or just a a take away.

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What great news for those lazy parents who on the school run, have been parking illegally on double yellow lines close to their children's schools for years with apparent immunity. The double yellow lines at schools and nearby junctions are put there for the children's safety. Will these be included in Pickles Folly?

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Accrington Lancs. Free car park - pleasant rejuvenated town centre includes small shops along side big stores. Blackburn, a few miles away. Expensive parking - a dustbin of a place with is forever going downhill. Market almost non-existent. To be avoided.

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Too late ERIC the horse has left the stable.My local shops charges £1.49 for 2 ltr milk.[No doubt because of the high rate of tax.for being on the high street.] There are two yellow lines out side. So i can pay an extortion fee in a municipal car park,or go to a shopping centre. The shopping centre, charges 97p for two ltrs milk ,and i can park as long as i like, free of charge, and do more shopping if i like without the worry of a £70 fine, or the extortionate parking fee. Get real. Either you want the shoppers or the parking charge which is it.you wont get both.

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