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Government considers pavement parking ban
Date: 01 September 2020 | Author: Sean Keywood
The UK government is considering options to prevent drivers from obstructing pedestrians by parking on pavements.
It has launched a consultation on three possible options: making it easier for councils to prohibit pavement parking in their areas; giving councils powers to fine drivers who park on pavements; and a London-style nationwide ban on pavement parking.
The government says parking on pavements disproportionately affects people with visual or mobility impairments, those assisted by guide dogs, and wheelchair and mobility scooter users.
It cites research by charity Guide Dogs showing that 32% of people with vision impairments and 48% of wheelchair users were less willing to go out on their own because of pavement parking.
However, the government acknowledges that any measures will need to preserve the free flow of traffic and access for emergency vehicles, bearing in mind many UK roads were built decades before modern traffic levels were a concern.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: "Parking on pavements means wheelchair users, visually impaired people and parents with push chairs can be forced into the road, which is not only dangerous, but discourages people from making journeys.
"A key part of our green, post-Covid recovery will be encouraging more people to choose active travel, such as walking, so it is vital that we make the nation's pavements accessible for everyone."
