AQW 35019/22-27

Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 07/11/2025
Answered On Date: 10/11/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any (i) guidance; or (ii) regulations, in place in relation to minimum numbers and minimum dimensions for accessible parking bays on commercial sites, such as shopping centre car parks.

Answer:

Under legislation, my Department is responsible for the management and enforcement of on-street parking.

There are a number of privately owned car parks, operating on private land, across the North, which are open to the public. The management and enforcement of these sites is a matter for the owner. The Department has no role in the design or provision of accessible parking bays in privately-owned car parks.

The Department for Transport has, however, published the ‘Inclusive Mobility’ A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61d32bb7d3bf7f1f72b5ffd2/inclusive-mobility-a-guide-to-best-practice-on-access-to-pedestrian-and-transport-infrastructure.pdf

Section 8 of this publication refers to accessible parking.