Ludlow councillor supports bid to stop drivers parking on pavements

Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North, Andy Boddington, said that throughout the year pavements around the town, and other towns, have been partially or totally blocked by cars and vans, and now he is calling for action to be taken.

Councillor Boddington described the parking as a "selfish move" and said that drivers "seem to have forgotten" that pavements are for pedestrians, children on cycles, people in wheelchairs and on mobility scooters, and parents pushing children in buggies.

He said: "Pavement users face being forced out into the road because some inconsiderate drivers think that it is better to block the pavement than use a road designed for vehicles to park on."

London currently has a ban on pavement parking, and in 2015, Simon Hoare MP presented a private members bill to Parliament aiming to bring in a nationwide ban.

But he withdrew the bill after the government promised a review of current parking legislation. The review was later changed to a survey of traffic regulation orders (TROs).

Four national organisations have now demanded action. They are Living Streets, Guide Dogs, the British Parking Association and the Local Government Association (LGA), which have jointly written to transport minister Jesse Norman MP urging him to prohibit pavement parking across England and Wales.

Their joint letter highlights the danger that pavement parking poses to pedestrians.

James White, senior campaigns manager for Guide Dogs, said in the letter: “Parking on pavements is blighting Britain's streets. It puts all pedestrians in danger, but particularly those living with sight loss.

"It is terrifying for someone who cannot see oncoming traffic to have to take the risk of stepping out into a road just because someone has decided to park on the footway. We’re calling on the Government to end this dangerous practice."

Joe Irvin, chief executive of Living Streets added: “Pavements are for people, not vehicles. As well as being dangerous, vehicles parking on pavements can actually stop people being able to use their streets at all.

“There need to be tougher and clearer laws on pavement parking. The Government should stop stalling and bring forward the legislation which has been in the pipeline for some time now.”

Councillor Boddington added: "It is time to reclaim our pavements from thoughtless car and van drivers. I would welcome the extension of the laws that apply in London to the rest of the country."