Safe Parking Urgent
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ALTHOUGH anti-theft devices can do much to protect vehicles and their loads, safe parking sites close to drivers' hostels in towns are urgently needed. Indiscriminate parking of lorries in streets at night is inviting theft, but the scarcity and high cost of land in busy areas make the provision of guarded accommodation extremely difficult. In Bermondsey, London, a natural _centre for long-distance lorries, the borough council have been trying for a year to find off-street parking facilities. British Road Services, Hay's Wharf, Ltd., and the Port of London Authority have been asked for assistance, but have been unable to give it. A deputation has waited on the Horne Office, again without result.
The matter has been brought to a head through the enterprise of a man who has set up an attractive hostel for drivers, which has become extremely popular. Parked vehicles now line the local streets at night, to the great annoyance of residents, whose sleep is disturbed by late arrivals and early departures.
No obstruction is caused by the vehicles and the police cannot take action against the drivers on that account. Indeed, they would hardly wish to do so, because they are as keenly aware as anyone of the difficulties. But if the Noise Abatement Act becomes law, they may be compelled to prosecute on the ground that a nuisance is being caused. A new problem for hauliers will then be created, not only in Bermondsey, but in any residential area where lorries are left overnight.
The public's increasing consciousness of noise is expressed in the legislation now before Parliament, and commercial vehicles have been the subject of unfavourable comment. Little can probably be done to silence loose loads, but the noise of vehicles parking at night in residential streets, and of drivers' conversations, could be prevented by police action.
The easiest solution might he for lorries to be parked in deserted city street,: under police supervision, provided that they were moved before the heavy morning traffic began, but it would be no more than a palliative. The need for safe off-street parking sites will remain, and the use of derelict land for this purpose should receive high priority.