FEATURE THE BIG INTERVIEW


Changing parking


the face of


THE NEW PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, NORMAN BAKER, TELLS SARAH JUGGINS HOW HE EXPECTS PARKING OPERATORS, LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND PRIVATE COMPANIES TO ADDRESS THEIR PUBLIC IMAGE


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uring his time as an MP, the new Under Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker, was an effective thorn in the Labour government’s side. In October 2006 he published an


explosive book, Te Strange Death of David Kelly, that set out to uncover the truth behind Dr David Kelly’s death after the investigation into the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Baker is renowned in political circles for his


dogged investigation into issues under the Freedom of Information Act, and it was his continual questioning that was said to be behind Peter Mandelson’s second resignation from government. Baker also brought to public attention the


increase in size of the ministerial fleet of cars to its largest number ever, and was behind the move to make information about ministers’ expenses public. As Shadow Environment Secretary, he joined


in May 2005 with two former environment ministers, the Labour MP Michael Meacher and the Conservative John Gummer, to table a cross-party early day motion in support of the Climate Change Bill, drafted by Friends of the Earth. Te motion called for a bill to be ‘brought forward


in this parliament so that annual cuts in carbon dioxide emissions of three per cent can be delivered


AUGUST 2010


in a framework that includes regular reporting and new scrutiny and corrective processes.’


Taking on the parking challenge Baker will bring his customary vigour to his current role within the coalition government. Among the areas under his brief are parking, regional and local transport, buses and taxis, the natural environment and traffic management. ‘I recognise that parking is a very important aspect


of life, and that councils and private operators have a legitimate right to enforce parking measures. I would just urge them to do so with a soft touch and ensure they are using their powers to do the right thing,’ he said. At present, the team at the Department for


Transport (DfT) is taking a long, hard look at how parking is managed in the UK, both by local authorities and private companies. ‘We will be taking effective measures to ensure


that information released by the DVLA is only being accessed by the people entitled to that information. ‘And we are working with the Home Office to


look at options to decide what we will do about the private clamping companies. All I can say for now is that it is not a tenable situation as it stands.’ However, Baker realises that the private parking


companies have an important role to play. ‘Private car parks are needed, welcomed and


Norman Baker: ‘Parking’s more of an art than a science’


www.britishparking.co.uk


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