MPs launch inquiry into pavement parking amid claims of ministerial inaction

MPs are to hold an inquiry to explore the problems of pavement parking in England, amid claims that the Government has failed to take action over the issue.

Announcing the inquiry, the Transport Select Committee said: “A mix of criminal and civil sanctions are available to police and local councils to enforce restrictions on pavement parking on private or commercial drivers. Parking on footways or pavements was banned in London in 1974, and it’s prohibited for large goods vehicles across England.

“Lack of progress in tackling pavement parking has led many groups to campaign on the issue and although it is regularly raised with MPs by their constituents, the Government has not taken any action on this issue in recent years.”

The committee is calling for written evidence on the following:

• the impact of pavement parking;
• the enforcement of pavement parking offences; and 
• enforcement and, if necessary, reform of traffic regulation orders need to deal with pavement parking.

The closing date to submit written evidence is 14 May 2019.

As pavement parking is devolved, the focus is on England only.

Lilian Greenwood MP, chair of the committee, said: “This is an area where some people’s actions cause real difficulties for others. Parking on pavements risks the safety of all groups of people from the littlest to the oldest, with differing needs.

“While we’re also inquiring into Active Travel – how we get more people to get into walking and cycling – we need to make sure it’s safe to take to the streets. We want to hear from the public about the difficulties this presents and the solutions on offer.”