Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, called for a debate to take place on car boot sales during Business of the House, yesterday.
Mismanagement of car boot sales has heavily impacted on a number of villages in South Staffordshire, including Shareshill, Featherstone and Himley.
Problems include congestion around the entrances and exits of the sites, and a shortage of parking, as visitors eschewing costly onsite spaces in favour of parking their cars on the surrounding streets.
In the Chamber, Gavin said: “Residents in the villages of Henley, Shareshill and Featherstone are often blighted by industrial-scale car boot sales. May we have a debate in the House on the irresponsibility of the operators and the impact they are having on my constituents?”
The Leader of the House, The Rt. Hon. Andrew Lansley MP, confirmed that Gavin had made a good case for an Adjournment debate to discuss the issue in greater depth.
He added: “I will talk to my hon. Friends at the Department for Communities and Local Government to establish what opportunities local authorities have to ensure that car boot sales function in a way that is fair to local people.”
Following the session, Gavin said: “I am glad that we have a promise this issue will be raised with Ministers. I will also be meeting the Planning Minister in the near future to discuss this matter further.
“The majority of car boot sales cause no problems for anyone, but sadly there are a few that create major difficulties for residents and visitors alike. I want a proper discussion about what can be done to improve this situation.”