Craig Mackinlay MP has echoed a call from the charity Guide Dogs for a national law to end problem pavement parking.
A survey by Guide Dogs showed 97% of blind or partially sighted people encounter problems with street obstruction, and 90% of those had experienced trouble with a pavement parked car.
Many pavements are not designed to take the weight of vehicles, causing damage to kerbs and verges which are costly to repair and makes walkways uneven, creating a trip hazard for pedestrians, especially those with sight loss.
Currently, outside London pavement parking is only specifically illegal in limited circumstances and is difficult for local authorities to enforce.
Craig Mackinlay MP commented:
“Pavement parking is dangerous for pedestrians, especially people with sight loss, parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and other disabled people.
“That’s why I am supporting the charity Guide Dogs’ call for a national law to end the problem of pavement parking.
“Extending a law similar to the one in place in London since 1974 to the rest of England and Wales would reduce regional disparity, improve clarity for driver and pedestrians and empower local authorities and properly tackle the problem of pavement parking.”
The campaign is supported by over 30 organisations including the Local Government Association, British Parking Association, and the RAC Foundation.
78% of councillors in a 2014 survey supported the introduction of a national law to prohibit pavement parking.