The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has succeeded in influencing new guldance on local authority parking enforcement.

The Transport Select Committee has announced recommendations to the Government regarding local authority parking enforcements in England.

It includes guidance on discussing with road hauliers and local authorities innovative ways of dealing with the needs of businesses, and that greater clarity should be provided on the rules for loading and unloading.

The report’s recommendations reflected the views of the FTA's evidence provided to a recent inquiry looking at Local Authority Parking Enforcement in England

FTA had told the House of Commons Transport Select Committee of the impact and costs of local authority parking enforcement on business, which was acknowledged within the report.

FTA’s managing director of policy and communications,  James Hookham, had provided oral evidence to the Transport Select Committee when he had stressed that the Traffic Management Act (TMA), that governs local authority parking policy, was in need of fundamental review as it fails to distinguish between ‘parking provision’, which is mainly concerned with private cars, and deliveries to commercial and residential premises, which are an essential economic activity.

As a result the transport committee has advised the Government to hold a ‘roundtable’ discussion with road hauliers and local authorities to identify and then disseminate innovate ways of dealing with conflicts between delivery needs and parking controls.

Hookham said: "The FTA is delighted that its voice has been heard on behalf of its members. We told the transport committee that the Traffic Management Act (TMA) was in need of fundamental review; the committee’s recommendation to the Government to hold a roundtable discussion with road hauliers and local authorities has to be a step in the right direction. While reducing congestion is important, there needs to be a balance, and good provision for deliveries is essential in order to support local businesses."