Renewed calls to clamp down on obstructive parking

LocalPolitics
26 Sep 2025 • 1:43 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Charity Guide Dogs is calling for a nationwide ban on pavement parking in the UK, highlighting the significant safety risks it poses to pedestrians, especially those with sight loss.
  • Pavement parking is currently only banned in London and Scotland, with a woman with sight loss sharing how moving to Scotland provided her with greater freedom and safety.
  • A 2020 consultation by the Conservative government on empowering English councils to prohibit pavement parking did not lead to any policy changes.
  • Surveys indicate strong support for a ban or tougher enforcement powers, with 74 per cent of councillors and 42 per cent of drivers backing such measures.
  • The Labour Government has commissioned new research to understand the impact of pavement parking and will provide an update on potential solutions as soon as possible.

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