UK Government Gives Councils New Powers to Tackle Pavement Parking

The British Government has decided to make it a little bit easier for local councils to fight against pavement parking and stop it from causing an obstruction to pedestrians, Regional and Local Transport Minister Norman Baker announced today. He has prompted them to use their full power in order to prevent parking on the pavement, where it is a problem.

"Parking on the pavement can be selfish and dangerous, putting pedestrians - especially those with disabilities or using pushchairs - in danger. If a vehicle is blocking the pavement then people often have no choice but to walk in the road where they are at much greater risk of being involved in an accident,” Baker said, justifying the move.

After installing warning signs, council chiefs will be able to fine those who park on (or partly on) the pavement £70. The Department for Transport has given permission to use signs to indicate a local pavement parking ban. Until now councils had to gain special signs authorization from Government each time they wanted to put a pavement parking ban in place.

In some cases, parking can prevent disabled people from gaining access to services and can also put them at great risk if having to resort to using roads. This also damages pavement, costing local councils who have to undertake repairs, according to Dai Powell OBE, Chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.

"Most drivers are considerate and do not park on the pavement unless it is permitted or necessary. However, there is a selfish minority who do not use their common sense and dump their cars wherever it suits them without a second thought for others,” Baker stated.