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A ban on pavement parking is being considered by transport ministers, with a possible £70 fine being levied on offenders.

 

A consultation between ministers could lead to a UK-wide ban.

 

Officially, only London has a full ban on pavement parking, which came into effect in 1974. The Highway Code states: "You must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it."

 

However, local authorities are able to ban parking on the pavement. They can make Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), but in reality it is a rarely-used power.

 

Labour peer Lord Lennie Read said: “Legislation should move to a default position as in London of no parking on pavements unless designated otherwise, rather than just a discouragement, which is currently the case".

 

Transport Minister Baroness Sugg commented: "I do agree that pavement parking is a problem.

 

"There are calls for the Government to introduce a law that bans pavement parking across England.

 

"The Roads Minister is keen to make the process as simple as possible, but before seeking new primary legislation we are evaluating the effectiveness of the current legislation and we want to understand the issues that are preventing councils from taking action already."

 

Baroness Sugg explained the Department for Transport had been looking into how effective the law is at present - and whether reform is needed.

 

"That review is now complete and we are considering its findings," she said.

 

Why is pavement parking so bad?

When a vehicle is parked on a pavement it can obstruct wheelchair users, parents with prams and pushchairs, the blind and those who are less able.

 

Is anyone in favour of pavement parking?

Not exactly, but motoring groups such as the Alliance of British Drivers say that some UK streets are so narrow that emergency vehicles would not be able to pass if cars parked on the road.