Disabled people will benefit from new powers being made available to local authorities across England to introduce pavement parking restrictions across their area, helping keep them clear and accessible.
Blocked pavements can create serious barriers for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users, blind and partially sighted people and older people, limiting independence and making everyday journeys harder and less safe.
Following a public consultation, the DfT has confirmed that local leaders will be given new and improved legal powers to make it easier to restrict pavement parking across wider areas, rather than relying on the previous approach, where action is often limited to individual streets and requires lengthy, complex processes.
Local leaders know their streets best and are best placed to respond to local needs, the DfT says. Under the new approach, local leaders will be able to decide to take action on pavement parking in their area, and they will retain flexibility where they deem pavement parking may still be acceptable.
Lilian Greenwood, local transport minister, said: “Clear pavements are essential for people to move around safely and independently, whether that’s a parent with a pushchair, someone using a wheelchair, or a blind or partially sighted person.
“That’s why we’re giving local authorities the power to crack down on problem pavement parking, allowing more people to travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go.”
Andrew Lennox, Guide Dogs’ chief executive, said: “After years of campaigning, we welcome the announcement to give councils greater powers to tackle problem pavement parking.
“Cars blocking pavements are a nuisance for everyone, but especially dangerous for people with sight loss, who can be forced into the road with traffic they can’t see. Pavement parking is also a barrier that shuts people out of everyday life.
“When pavements are blocked, people with sight loss lose confidence, independence and the freedom to travel safely. This stops people accessing work, education and social opportunities.”
The department will set out guidance to help local authorities use these powers in a proportionate and locally appropriate way later in 2026.
Putting onus on local authorities to take action means that the government hides from the crossfire between the needs of pedestrians and the entitlement of drivers.
Expect little to be done – too unpopular.
Paul Luton, Teddington
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