Now councils want to BAN you parking on pavements: New clampdown on motorists planned to encourage people to walk 

  • Councils say kerb parking puts pedestrians' lives in danger
  • They add it's 'nonsense' councils can't have more power over pavement parking
  • But the AA has warned a blanket ban on kerb parking  'simply won't work'  

Motorists could soon be banned from parking on kerbs in a bid by local councils to encourage more people to walk. 

The Local Government Association said kerb mounting forces pedestrians - including the blind and parents with prams - to walk in the road, which puts their lives at risk.

Outside of London, which banned pavement parking in 1974, kerb parking is generally allowed on roads without other restrictions such as double yellow lines.

Martin Tett, transport spokesman at the LGA, which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, said it 'seems nonsense' that those outside the capital do not have more control to stop pavement parking.

Council leaders said kerb mounting forces pedestrians to risk their lives walking in the road 

Council leaders said kerb mounting forces pedestrians to risk their lives walking in the road 

He said: 'Local authorities need this power to respond to concerns raised by their communities, for example if a street is becoming dangerously congested or pedestrians are being forced to step out into the street to get round parked vehicles. 

'This is particularly dangerous for blind or partially sighted people and mums and dads with prams. 

The LGA warned that local authorities have limited funds to repair pavements damaged by vehicle tyres and said this money would be better used to help plug a £12 billion roads repair bill.

Kerb parking is allowed on roads without restrictions such as double yellow lines

Kerb parking is allowed on roads without restrictions such as double yellow lines

But AA president Edmund King warned that a blanket ban 'simply won't work' as certain roads would become blocked if drivers cannot partially park on the pavement.

He said: 'Some drivers think they are helping the flow of traffic by parking on the pavement, but too often little to no consideration is given to how someone in a wheelchair or a parent with a child in a buggy will pass their vehicle.

'The AA cautiously welcomes this measure, but a thorough investigation of roads must happen before any implementation takes place.'

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said their research found that nearly three-quarters of motorists say that parked vehicles end up blocking pavements in their neighbourhood.

But motorists are also split on whether it is acceptable to park on the pavements. Most (48%) believe it is acceptable to park on a pavement with one or two wheels, but a sizeable minority (37%) think the remedy is an outright ban on all parking on pavements.'

Mr Tett said councils would 'carefully consult with communities' before bans were implemented.