PARKING on the pavement should be BANNED because it’s “discriminatory” and stops people from cycling, experts have said.
Currently, there is no law in the UK against parking on the pavement – except for in London.
Rule 22 of the Highway Code says: “You must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it.
But outside of the capital, you are permitted to partially park your motor on the pavement however it must not be causing an obstruction.
And now sustainable transport charity Sustrans are pushing for councils up and down the UK to be able to adopt similar rules as London.
They say parking on the path is “discriminatory” and believe that goals to get more people to walk and cycle are “impossible” to reach unless it’s outlawed, reports The Telegraph.
The charity says disabled people find their routes blocked and struggle to get around their local areas because of it.
Xavier Brice, the charity’s chief executive, said: “The evidence is clear that people wish to feel safe and welcome while walking and wheeling, and without parked vehicles getting in their way.
“Pavement parking is discriminatory against wheelchair and mobility scooter users, other disabled people, those with visual impairments and more.
“The UK Government’s target is for half of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030.
“Achieving this will be impossible unless we do more to make walking and wheeling more accessible and inclusive.
“A vital first step is to ban pavement parking.”
Parking on pavements has been banned in London since the 1974 Greater London Council (General Powers) Act.
The act forbids motorists to park on urban roads in the capital with their car’s wheels resting on footways, grass verges or land between carriageways.
There are exceptions to this rule in some areas.
These are clearly marked with special blue parking signs, showing a car with one wheel on the kerb.
Other times, parking bays drawn out with white lines extending onto footways to show that parking there is permitted.
In areas where it is not allowed, the law provides protection for certain circumstances, such as drivers who are unloading goods, putting out a fire or saving someone’s life.
Those who break the rules can be subject to a fine.
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A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy the benefits of cycling and walking and our plans are supported by an unprecedented £2 billion package of funding for active travel over five years.
“We are actively considering the options for addressing pavement parking and we will announce next steps as soon as possible.”
