Parking on pavements disproportionately affects people with
visual or mobility impairments, those assisted by guide dogs,
and wheelchair and mobility scooter users. More than 95 per
cent of wheelchair users and people with visual impairments say
they have faced problems as a result of vehicles parked on
pavements.
Three options are proposed in the consultation launched today –
improving the traffic regulation order process to make it
easier for councils to prohibit pavement parking in their
areas, giving councils powers to fine drivers who park on
paths, and a London-style nationwide ban on pavement parking.
However, there is still a major role for cars and other private
vehicles, so any future plans will need to take this into
consideration.
Transport Secretary
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.”
Pavement parking presents a clear safety risk when parked
cars occupy the pavement and force vulnerable pedestrians to
move into the road.
Disabled people say pavement parking is a significant barrier
to carrying out daily journeys. Recent research from the
charity Guide Dogs shows 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, decreasing
independence and contributing towards isolation.
As many streets were built decades and centuries before the
high levels of vehicles currently on roads, any measures will
need to ensure the free-flow of traffic and access for the
emergency services.
The consultation is the government’s latest step to deliver on
commitments to make transport equally accessible for all users
by 2030, as set out in the Inclusive Transport Strategy.
Stephen Edwards, Director of Policy and
Communications, Living Streets said:
“We’re regularly contacted by disabled and older people who
feel trapped in their homes because there isn’t enough room
on the pavement for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
“This has impacted more people during the pandemic with
blocked pavements affecting everyone’s ability to physically
distance.”
Blanche Shackleton, Head of Policy, Public Affairs
and Campaigns at Guide Dogs said:
“For many people with sight loss, cars and vans parked on the
pavement make our streets stressful and dangerous to
navigate. At any time, you might be forced out into the road
with traffic that you cannot see.”
“When every journey is an ordeal, simply going out
independently can become daunting.”
Justine Roberts, Founder and CEO of Mumsnet
said:
“Lots of us have occasionally parked a couple of wheels up on
the pavement to leave space on the road without really
thinking about how it might inconvenience people.
“It's a topic that comes up regularly on Mumsnet, where
wheelchair users and people with buggies share stories about
being forced into the road, or having to double back long
distances.”
The consultation comes as Transport Secretary steps up
efforts to encourage active travel – such as walking – as
part of a green, post-Covid recovery, and level up road
quality across the country. The government announced £2bn in
May to get more people walking and cycling, and £2.5bn in the
Budget towards repairing potholes as part of the biggest
nationwide programme ever announced.
On top of this, the government is also investing £27bn to
improve roads across the country and boost connectivity between
our towns and cities.
It is currently an offence to cause an unnecessary obstruction
on the highway, which is enforceable by the police.
