LGA calls for powers to ban pavement parking

The Local Government Association (LGA) has urged the government to allow local authorities to ban pavement parking across the country to crack down on inconsiderate motorists.

The LGA highlighted that the move could free up congested pavements and stop pedestrians, including the blind and parents with prams and babies from having to walk out into roads and risk their lives.

The call comes as communities across the country issue safety warnings about pavement parking. The ban on pavement parking in London has already been in place for the past 40 years.

However, outside the capital mounting the kerb is generally allowed apart from where vehicles are causing an obstruction. Local authorities can use existing Traffic Regulation Orders to ban pavement parking on certain roads but it is a time-consuming, expensive and bureaucratic process.

Cllr Martin Tett, LGA Transport spokesman, said: "Councils in the capital have been able to ban pavement parking for many years and it seems a nonsense that local authorities outside London remain unable to do this.

"Local authorities need this power to respond to concerns raised by their communities, for example if a street is becoming dangerously congested or pedestrians are being forced to step out into the street to get round parked vehicles. This is particularly dangerous for blind or partially-sighted people and mums and dads with prams.

"Pavement parking and damaged pavements is one of the biggest complaints from pedestrians. In addition, repairing kerbs, verges and pavements damaged by pavement parking is expensive at a time when councils continue to face huge funding pressures as a result of further cuts to funding from government. The money spent on this would be better used to plug the £12 billion roads repair bill we currently face as a nation. 

"Councils would carefully consult with communities before banning pavement parking and this is done sparingly in response to concerns which they have raised. This will enable them to better protect vulnerable pedestrians and provide a more consistent approach for all road users."