Ban all parking on pavements, demand councils

POWERS to ban parking on pavements should be rolled out across the country, local authorities have urged.

An investigation found some vehicles cause such a ‘ complete obstruction’ that vulnerable pedestrians are forced to get on to the road to get past them.

Wheelchair users, older people and parents with pushchairs are among those put at risk by having to navigate around vehicles mounted on kerbs, the study commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) warned.

Pavement parking can also damage the surface, creating trip hazards and leading to costly repairs, the report by active travel charity sustrans and disability rights organisation transport for All added.

the study recommended pavement parking is banned across England, and urged the Government to ‘recommit to the principle that the function of the footway is to provide space for walking and wheeling’. London is the only area in England where it is currently prohibited.

A Department for transport (Dft) consultation on giving councils in the rest of the country the power to prohibit pavement parking ended in November 2020, but no announcement has been made. the LGA said a ‘long overdue’ change in the rules would help councils protect people from injury, as well as support targets to increase walking and cycling.

the LGA’s Darren rodwell said pavement parking is one of the biggest complaints from pedestrians and presents a ‘potential danger to life’.

He added: ‘if we are to meet the Government’s ambition for half of all trips in England’s towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030, it makes sense to give councils across the country the same powers as in the capital.’

the Dft was approached for a comment.