The DfT Plans to Tackle ‘Antisocial Pavement Parking’
07 September 2020
The Department for Transport announced on August 31 2020 their plans to tackle the issue of antisocial pavement parking in the UK.
Parking on pavements is common practice, but the consequences of antisocial parking are rarely considered. A review conducted by the DfT found that ‘a third of people with visual impairments and almost half of wheelchair users were not as willing to go out because of antisocial pavement parking”.
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said, “Parking on pavements means wheelchair users, visually impaired people and parents with pushchairs can be forced into the road, which is not only dangerous but discourages people from making journeys.
“A key part of our green, post-COVID recovery will be encouraging more people to choose active travel, such as walking, so it is vital that we make the nation’s pavements accessible for everyone”.
A consultation on the subject was launched on the Department for Transport’s plan to manage pavement parking with three proposed options to alter current legislation. The options are:
- Improving the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, under which local authorities can already prohibit pavement parking.
- A legislative change to allow local authorities with civil parking enforcement powers to enforce against ‘unnecessary obstruction of the pavement’.
- A legislative change to introduce a London-style pavement parking prohibition throughout England.
This was actioned under the DfT’s commitment to make transport equally accessible for all users by 2030, as per its Inclusive Transport Strategy.
Stephen Edwards, Director of Policy and Communications at Living Streets, said, “We’re regularly contacted by disabled and older people who feel trapped in their homes because there is not enough room on the pavement for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
“This has impacted more people during the pandemic with blocked pavements affecting everyone’s ability to physically distance”.
Blanche Shackleton, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, said, “For many people with sight loss, cars and vans parked on the pavement make our streets stressful and dangerous to navigate. At any time, you might be forced out into the road with traffic that you cannot see. When every journey is an ordeal, simply going out independently can become daunting”.
Justine Roberts, Founder and CEO of Mumsnet, said, “Lots of us have occasionally parked a couple of wheels up on the pavement to leave space on the road without really thinking about how it might inconvenience people.
“It’s a topic that comes up regularly on Mumsnet, where wheelchair users and people with buggies share stories about being forced into the road or having to double back long distances”.
We at Marshall Minibus are always interested to know the latest developments in inclusive transport. If you would like more information on our minibus leasing services, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01480 220444.
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