Pavement parking could be completely banned across England under new plans

Parking on pavements could be completely banned across England to help pedestrians, the Government has said.

The Department for Transport has announced a consultation into giving local authorities more power to punish drivers who block footpaths.

It says the move would make life easier for pedestrians but some motorists’ groups have warned a blanket ban could have unintended consequences.

Parking on pavements is already banned in London, where it is punishable by a £100 fine. It is also due to be outlawed in Scotland from 2021 but elsewhere in the UK only lorries are prohibited from stopping on pavements.

Other regulations which punish dangerous parking or causing unnecessary obstructions already exist but the DfT consultation is in response to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee which last year called for a nationwide blanket ban on parking on pavements.

The committee said that the “blight” of pavement parking put pedestrians in danger and disproportionately affected those with mobility or visual impairments. It also warned that the problem was so severe in some cases that people were afraid to leave their homes because they couldn’t use the pavements safely.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Vehicles parked on the pavement can cause very real difficulties for many pedestrians.

"That's why I am taking action to make pavements safer and I will be launching a consultation to find a long-term solution for this complex issue. This will look at a variety of options - including giving local authorities extended powers to crack down on this behaviour."