Nearly half of UK motorists support extending pavement parking bans beyond London and Edinburgh following demands from drivers, according to new research.
A survey by Venson Automotive Solutions found that 46 per cent of drivers agree the ban should be implemented in other cities and towns across Britain.
The study revealed that pedestrian accessibility is the primary concern for motorists supporting the change, with the potential for unsafe road crossings ranked as the second-most significant worry.
While most drivers back the proposed changes, 18 per cent oppose any new restrictions, citing existing limitations on parking spaces as their main concern.
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A large proportion of drivers support new legislation for pavement parking
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The potential changes have gained renewed attention as Labour promises to act on a previously shelved 2020 Conservative consultation on pavement parking.
The issue has long been in the spotlight, with the Local Government Association (LGA) consistently calling for reform to address what it describes as “the scourge of pavement parking”.
The push for new legislation follows the successful implementation of pavement parking bans in London and Edinburgh.
These developments mark a significant shift in the approach to urban parking management, as authorities seek to balance the needs of motorists with pedestrian safety.
Simon Staton, client management director for Venson Automotive Solutions, highlighted the significant barriers caused by pavement parking.
He said: “Pavement parking can cause numerous barriers to footway users including lack of space, degradation of surface quality, trip hazards and lack of safe spaces for crossing the road.
“It is reassuring to see drivers are recognising that the safety of vulnerable pedestrians, including the elderly, people with disabilities, the visually impaired and those with pushchairs and young children, is paramount.”
Research shows the scale of the problem, with 95 per cent of visually impaired people and 98 per cent of wheelchair users reporting issues with pavement parking in the previous year.
The Government is currently weighing several options for implementing pavement parking restrictions nationwide, including giving local authorities the power to determine where and how bans could be enforced.
Another option being considered would extend council powers to treat unnecessary obstruction as a civil matter.
For businesses conducting deliveries, the Government consultation paper includes a proposed 20-minute exemption, although this would only apply in cases where business operations cannot reasonably be conducted without pavement parking.
The proposals aim to strike a balance between commercial needs and pedestrian safety concerns, as highlighted by Simon Staton.
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The Government is considering how a pavement parking ban would be most effective
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He added: “Finding somewhere to park has always been an issue in crowded cities and towns across the UK. A ban on pavement parking makes sense, but a measured approach should be taken, that does not include a blanket ban on pavement parking.
“Local authorities are best placed to assess how parking should be managed in their communities, helping to make pathways clearer for all.”