Pavement parking rules could be brought in to help crack down on the number of vehicles dangerously taking up space on the roads.
The move follows a 10-minute speech in the House of Commons yesterday which called for local authorities to be given powers to enforce restrictions.
The motion was introduced by Marsha De Cordova MP for Battersea who demanded urgent action to enforce against “obstructive” parking across the UK.
She warned that pavement parking can be “especially dangerous” for wheelchair users, people with pushchairs and young children, and for people who cycle as they can be forced onto the road with traffic as a result.
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The Labour MP said: “As well as causing an obstruction, cars parked on pavement damage the surface, creating trip hazards where one in five people would cycle said they have been injured as a result of this.
“Madam Deputy speaker, it doesn’t have to be this way. In London, a law has been in been in place prohibiting pavement parking since 1974. Progress has also been made in Scotland, where the Transport Scotland Act of 2019 enabled local councils to enforce against pavement parking.”
She noted that while there has been progress on pavement parking in London, due to the increase in abandoned rental e-scooters and e-bikes they continue to obstruct pavements.
De Cordova explained that bringing in more enforcement would replicate the existing offence by the HGVs for parking on pavements or curbs and extend them to all motor vehicles.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has called on the Government to introduce new law for pavement parking
GUIDE DOGS
Rule 244 of the Highway Code states that drivers must not “partially or wholly” park on the pavement.In some cases, cars blocking pavements can be considered an obstruction and can be enforced by police.
The MP warned that the lack of a “clear definition of what constitutes an obstruction and the lack of police resources relying on police enforcement has not proven effective”. She stated there is a “clear need” for a law that brings the rest of England in line with London and Scotland.
She added: “Pavement parking prevents many people from living their lives from working, from socialising, from taking their children to school or getting to that vital appointment, and that has to change.”
Guide Dogs and other leading charities have joined in the call for action with nearly 28,000 people writing to party leaders demanding change.
The open letter follows new traffic orders in Glasgow which came into effect this week to implement restrictions on pavement parking. Under the rules, drivers can be fined £100 for inconsiderate parking.
Guide dog owner, Kimberley Heal said: “I don’t encounter much pavement parking in London due to the existing laws here. But when I visit family elsewhere it is a different story. People park everywhere, and don’t leave enough space for me, my guide dog and my young son to pass.
“When people park on pavements it means we have to step out into busy roads. It is hard trying to keep us all safe, I have to concentrate to make sure none of us gets run over and it is hard as the roads are busy and noisy.”
Meanwhile, Eleanor Briggs, head of policy public affairs and campaigns at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, stated that the message from the public and local councillors “is clear”.
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A petition calling for action against pavement parking has gained 28,000 signatures
GUIDE DOGS
She warned that the Government needs to “act now” as the majority of local councils still lack the relevant powers.
Briggs added: “We applaud the continued rollout of Scotland’s law on pavement parking, which is a huge help for people with sight loss, who are often discouraged from getting out and about by the fear of badly parked vehicles.
“It’s now time for the rest of the country to join Scotland and London in having clear rules to stop unsafe and unfair pavement parking.”
