Pavement parking SLAMMED — 'How the hell do you think it makes disabled people feel?'
A new Express.co.uk poll has shown widespread support for a ban on pavement parking in all UK cities.
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Campaigners have called for legislation to be introduced to extend the ban on pavement parking in London to all UK cities, with almost four in five Express.co.uk readers joining calls for a crackdown, a new poll has shown.
The offence is illegal in the capital city and while the Highway Code advises against the practice, it is up to local authorities to enforce restrictions, with offenders facing £70 fines if their vehicle causes an obstruction.
Sheffield City Council is already exercising its powers to clamp down on pavement parking in the city centre since last year, with other cities looking to follow.
The Green Party in Bristol is running a petition calling for pavement parking to be banned in the city, with Councillor David Wilcox writing: “We need to improve the situation for local people.”
While Labour MP Afzal Khan presented another petition to Parliament earlier this year calling for a ban on the practice in Manchester. He said: “Pavement parking is not only an issue for those with disabilities or young children, but encourages speeding and reckless driving in neighbourhoods. It's time the Government takes action.”
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In a poll that ran from 1.15pm on Thursday, July 6, to 11.15am on Thursday, July 13, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should all UK cities ban pavement parking?”
Overall, 1,002 votes were received with the vast majority of readers, 79 percent (795 people) answering “yes” compared with 20 percent (199 people) who said “no”. While one percent (eight people) said they did not know.
In the comments left below the accompanying article, readers shared their thoughts on whether there should be a crackdown on pavement parking.
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The majority of readers were in favour of banning the practice, with username Angisan writing: “Yes as soon as possible and strongly enforced.”
Username worzel4candles agreed and questioned the safety of footpath users, commenting: “Of course it should. If I or my blind and disabled stepson were to walk down the centre of the road then how many drivers would think it acceptable? Well, how the hell do you think we feel knowing it isn't safe to walk along a footpath?”
Others shared experiences from their own streets, with username President Bulldog explaining: “We live in a beautiful cul-de-sac. You can never walk down the pavement because it’s full of cars from the adjoining street.”
Likewise, username Flexi one said: “Definitely yes, because where I live in a cul-de-sac we have a problem of pavement parking, this due to lazy drivers not putting their vehicles in their own driveway…and there is a turning area which is full of parked cars which makes it difficult to turn and drive out of the cul-de-sac.”
Charity Sustrans' Walking and Cycling Index report revealed 70 percent of Britons walking and cycling would benefit from a ban on pavement parking.
But some readers thought that a widespread ban on pavement parking should not be enforced, with username Maltyloofa remarking: “Huge double-width pavements outside my house, I'll still be parking on it. Just use common sense.”
And username Tryingtobereasonable added: “I can understand that blocking the pavement is really not on but where pavements are wide I don't see a problem. It's all about practicalities.”
A Department for Transport spokesman said last month: “In 2020, we launched a consultation to explore options for tackling pavement parking and to better equip councils to take action, and we'll publish the response as soon as possible.”
