Drivers could face £70 fine for parking on pavements

The Department of Transport is looking at extending a ban on pavement parking to the whole of England.

Motorists could face fines of up to £70 for parking on the pavement as the Government looks to create a ‘walking and cycling nation’.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is considering extending a ban on pavement parking, which has been operating in London for over 40 years, to the whole of England.

This would make it illegal to mount a kerb and park your vehicle, unless there were clear signs you can do so, with those that flout the rules hit with a penalty of up to £70.

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The rules on pavement parking

Parking on the pavement has been banned in London since 1974 and drivers are only allowed to mount the kerb when a space is marked by blue parking signs or white bay lines.

In the rest of England local authorities can use Traffic Regulation Orders to ban pavement parking on some roads but parking on the pavement is generally allowed unless other parking restrictions like double yellow lines are in operation

However, the Government is consulting on extending the capital’s ban on pavement parking to the rest of England in order to encourage more people to walk and cycle.

The Department for Transport has recently opened a consultation on its cycling and walking investment strategy, which states the department will look at ‘pavement parking outside London’ this year, which will include a look at an ‘alternative regime’.

It’s expected the consultation, which closes on 23 May, could result in a blanket ban which will make it illegal to park on pavements across the country with the introduction of a £70 penalty for offenders.

A DfT spokesperson said: “We are currently considering the rules around pavement parking, including whether more can be done to make it easier for councils to tackle problem areas in a consistent way. Work is ongoing and no decisions have been made.”

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The problem with pavement parking

In many UK towns and cities, the narrow streets mean drivers have little choice but to mount the pavement to park in order to leave enough space for traffic to flow and protect their vehicles.

However, doing so can significantly block the pavement, causing trouble for pedestrians and residents that live in the area that use the street to walk or cycle.

Is a blanket ban a good idea?

It’s likely road safety campaigners and disability groups will welcome the blanket ban, however motoring group The AA has expressed concerns that a ban will halve the number of spaces available and push the parking problem elsewhere.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “Getting rid of pavement parking is fine and will be of particular benefit to mums with pushchairs, those in wheelchairs or people with visual difficulties, which is important.  Disability groups have pointed out the potential hazards of thoughtless pavement parking. But it must be countered by provision of new spaces – for example removing redundant yellow lines or specifically allowing pavement parking where the footway is wide enough – new space has to be created elsewhere.”

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