To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail why there is not an accessible mechanism to report or log chronic problem parking, akin to those for road or lighting repairs, in order to ensure footways are not blocked.

My Department currently has the authority to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) where a vehicle is observed parked on a legislated restriction, such as double yellow lines. However, my Department cannot take enforcement action where a vehicle is parked on a pavement causing an obstruction where no parking restrictions are marked on the carriageway. In such cases, responsibility lies with the PSNI.

Enforcement schedules remain flexible and, where resources permit, can be adjusted. If additional enforcement is required, my parking enforcement team can be contacted at this email address Parking.Request@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk which is also accessible on my Department’s website at this link Contacts | Department for Infrastructure

My Department has had exploratory discussions on the possibility of adding a web link to nidirect, similar to those for reporting faults, however, due to other work commitments this has not progressed.