Motorists have been warned new laws could soon make it illegal to park on pavements.
Experts say drivers could be slapped with a hefty fine and even see their vehicle towed away if caught parking unlawfully. It comes after councils across the country called on the government to give them powers to ban 'dangerous' pavement parking, which is already against the law in London and Scotland. Council bosses are currently waiting for the results of a government consultation, which would allow them to introduce pavement restrictions and hand out fines to offenders. The devolved government in Wales is also looking into similar restrictions.
The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, say the ban on pavement parking will save lives and make the streets safer. It is hoped the change in law will make the streets safer for everyone, particularly those with mobility issues, visual impairments and parents pushing prams and buggies. Other motivations include meeting national targets to encourage more walking and cycling, in turn reducing emissions, and helping to meet climate change targets.
It is already illegal to park on the pavement in Scotland under The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. Local authorities began enforcing the law in December 2023, and drivers can now be fined £100 if caught out. Parking on pavements has also been outlawed in London since 1974, and councils there have the power to fine drivers up to £130 if caught doing so. According to the London Councils, an association made up of the 32 borough councils and the City of London, this includes pavements, grass verges, alleyways, driveways and pedestrian crossings.
If enforced across the rest of England and Wales, the blanket ban would give councils the same power to crack down on drivers with similar penalties. Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of car insurance firm Quotezone.co.uk said: “Drivers in England and Wales must be aware of the possible changes to parking laws which could give councils the power to fine them and even seize their vehicle. The rule has been in place in London for years, but now Scotland has also enforced the ban, it is more than likely that government consultations in the rest of England and Wales will follow suit.
"It would make parking on a path, being double parked, parked at a crossing point or parked on a verge between roads and pavements, illegal. The crackdown on pavement parking could see drivers slapped with a fine of £130 and their vehicle could even be towed away in worst-case scenarios. Up until now, the Highway Code rules around pavement parking have been a little vague, it states drivers ‘should not’ park partially or wholly on the pavement unless signs permit it.
"However, the rule stating drivers ‘must not’ leave their vehicle in a dangerous position means if drivers are seen to be putting other road users at risk, they could be susceptible to a fixed penalty notice. Parking on pavements may seem convenient, but it can obstruct the road which is dangerous for the elderly and vulnerable, restricts emergency services and could lead to accidents and fatalities. With changes to the law likely imminent, drivers should err on the side of caution and avoid parking on pavements at all cost – to help increase safety for all road users and avoid potential fines.”