AQW 11818/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 13/05/2024
Answered On Date: 03/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether he intends to bring forward a strategy to restrict or eliminate the parking of vehicles in cycle lanes.

Answer:

My Department recognises the frustration caused by inconsiderate parking on cycle lanes or cycle tracks and I would encourage motorists to respect everyone’s journey and think before you park.

The Traffic Management (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 gives the Department the power to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) when a vehicle is detected parked on a legislated Mandatory Cycle Lane as set out in the Cycle Routes Order (Northern Ireland) 2008. Advisory Cycle Lanes are not enforceable by a Traffic Attendant (TA), however, where parking restrictions are marked on the carriageway, for example yellow lines, those restrictions also apply to the Advisory Cycle Lane.

Footway cycle tracks or shared footway/cycleway facilities are not generally enforceable by TAs. If there is a parking restriction marked on the adjacent carriageway, for example yellow lines, this will apply to the adjacent footway and any cycle tracks thereon. Vehicles parked on Advisory Cycle Lanes or footway cycle tracks causing an obstruction, where no parking restrictions are marked on the carriageway, are a matter for the PSNI. Mandatory Cycle Lanes receive regular programmed enforcement.

My Department plans to review the existing legislation with respect to the types of cycling infrastructure that the Department intends to design and construct going forward. If it is determined that a change in legislation would be beneficial in making enforcement of parking in cycle facilities more intuitive and effective this will be brought to the assembly in due course.