I appreciate that vehicles parked on pavements can be dangerous for all pedestrians, as it can force them onto the road and into the flow of traffic. In particular, I understand that pavement parking can cause real problems for people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments, as well as those with pushchairs.
While there is a historic ban on pavement parking throughout London, elsewhere any local authority that has taken up civil enforcement powers may introduce a ban on pavement parking where it sees fit through the use of Traffic Regulation Orders. As part of making this easier to implement, in 2011 Ministers gave all councils authorisation to use a sign indicating where a pavement parking restriction is in place, removing the need to ask Whitehall first for permission to use the sign.
However, while successive Governments have recognised that there is no perfect solution to this complex problem. The Government ran a consultation in 2020 on proposals that would allow local authorities with civil parking enforcement powers to crack down on pavements being unnecessarily obstructed.
The consultation explored how a nationwide ban on pavement parking, enforced by local authorities, could work. A nationwide ban would need careful consideration and would have to allow, for example, for necessary exceptions or designated spots for pavement parking where required. The approach taken would also have to be tailored to the very different challenges faced in rural and suburban areas.
I understand that the Department will publish the formal consultation response in due course.