MPs call for blanket ban on parking on the pavement in England

9 September 2019, 14:22

The Commons' Transport Committee has called for a ban on pavement parking across England

Parking on the pavement could soon be banned in England under new guidelines proposed by MPs.

The Commons' Transport Committee is calling for a new law, as well as greater awareness of the impact parking on the pavement can have on people with mobility issues and disabilities.

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The Department of Transport has announced that it has launched a review, and will be announcing its next steps in the coming months.

The committee's chair, Labour MP Lilian Greenwood, said: "A couple of years ago a young wheelchair user came to one of my coffee mornings... asking me to do something about pavement parking because it stopped him getting round his own neighbourhood.

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"[This report] has recommended action that will make a real difference."

Parking on the pavement is already banned in London, with those who do so faced with a hefty fine.

It's also banned in Scotland - and Wales are setting up a task force to look at the issue.

The committee spoke to a number of people with disabilities affected by the issue, and wrote in a report: "Pavement parking can have a considerable impact on people's lives and their ability to safely leave their homes.

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"People are at risk of social isolation if they feel unable to leave their homes safely or are physically prevented from doing so.

"While pavement parking can be a necessity in some areas, it should not be allowed to happen where it has a significant adverse impact on people's lives."