Description

Pavement parking in England is a critical issue, where vehicles obstruct footways, endangering vulnerable pedestrians like disabled people, parents, and those with sight loss. While London and Scotland have clear bans, England faces inconsistent rules. There's a strong call for a default national prohibition with local exceptions to clarify laws and ensure safer streets. The government's significant delay in responding to a 2020 consultation is also discussed, underscoring the urgency of this social justice issue.

Key Takeaways:

• Pavement parking endangers vulnerable pedestrians, forcing them into roads and creating exclusion.
• Laws are inconsistent across England (outside London), unlike clearer bans in London and Scotland.
• A national ban with local exceptions is proposed for clarity and safety.
• Government has delayed its response to a 2020 consultation for nearly five years.
• Parking on pavements damages infrastructure and discourages walking.
• Solving this boosts active travel and social inclusion.

Important Definitions and Concepts:

• Pavement Parking: Vehicles parking on footways, obstructing pedestrians and causing damage.
• Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs): Local authority powers for parking bans, often slow and costly.
• National Prohibition with Local Exceptions: Proposed system for England: default ban, with councils allowing exceptions where safe.

Discussion and Reflection Question: How can policymakers balance drivers' parking needs with pedestrians' fundamental right to safe, accessible pavements, particularly in areas not designed for modern car ownership?

Source: Pavement Parking
Volume 772: debated on Wednesday 3 September 2025

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No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.