Pavement parking bill

A Private Member’s Bill calling for a ban on pavement parking in England and Wales will receive its first reading in the House of Commons today (24 June 2015).

Living Streets’ Chief Executive Joe Irvin said: ‘We have been campaigning for years to reclaim our pavements for pedestrians and we are delighted that this important issue is finally being addressed after being delayed twice in the last Parliament.

“Pavements are for people, not vehicles and it is about time that this issue is prioritised and given the attention it deserves.

“Pavement parking is dangerous. It can obstruct the footway and force pedestrians into the path of oncoming traffic. This is particularly dangerous for vulnerable pedestrians including those with reduced mobility or sight loss, wheelchair or mobility scooter users and parents with young children or buggies.

“From our own research (a YouGov poll in December 2014 for Living Streets) we know that 62% of people over the age of 65 were worried about obstructions on the pavement such as cars parked on the pavement for their friends and relations aged 65 and over. Parents also tell us it is one of their main worries in relation to children walking to school.

“London has had a pavement parking ban since 1975 and the Scottish Parliament now also has a Bill before it to do so. We want parking on the pavement to be banned and we fully support Mr Hoare as he works to make the pavement parking bill a reality.”