New powers for councils to fine pavement parkers

Councils across England are to be given more extensive powers to fine motorists who cause disruption by parking on the pavement.

The new powers are due to take effect later this year, alongside guidance on how the rules can be enforced in a "proportionate" way.

Pavement parking is currently banned outright in London and Scotland, with councils elsewhere in England able to introduce restrictions for specific streets.

The government says wider enforcement powers will make it easier for local authorities to tackle the worst examples of disruptive parking.

Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said "problem" pavement parking was causing issues for blind people, parents with pushchairs and those in wheelchairs, adding clear pavements were "essential for people to move around safely".

Currently, police officers can fine those who cause obstruction or leave their vehicle in a dangerous position.

But council enforcement officers can only fine pavement parkers who breach an on-road rule, such as parking restrictions or double yellow lines. There are separate rules for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

The government argues councils' ability to restrict pavement parking on specific streets is not a "practical tool for widespread enforcement" due to the requirement to consult local residents beforehand and put up special signs.

In a policy document published on Thursday, the transport department said that it plans to give councils new powers to issue fines to those who cause "unnecessary obstruction" when parking on the pavement.

It said the new legal powers would be delivered "in due course" and would not require "additional traffic signage".

Meanwhile, work towards wider legislation for a new set of national, locally-applied rules is being carried out by officials.

The document did not specify how "unnecessary obstruction" would be defined - instead saying it would be at the discretion of council enforcement officers.

It added that there may be roads where some parking on the pavement is necessary to allow emergency vehicles to pass through.

Labour ministers argued this approach would mean local councils could shape policies in their areas, including on possible exemptions.

A government consultation found respondents were split on a proposed 20-minute exemption for vehicles making deliveries to businesses.

Some respondents felt councils would be unable to properly enforce the rules but "many would see it as a licence for councils to print money", the document noted.

The previous Conservative government consulted on pavement parking in 2020, but no new powers were announced before Labour took office in 2024.

Living Streets, a charity that promotes everyday walking, said the new powers would allow "some quick progress after years of inaction" on the issue, but it was disappointed the announcement fell short of a national ban.

It added that enforcement at the council level would create "inconsistency for communities and drivers, which increases risks for everyone using our streets".