Three-quarters of drivers want action on pavement parking, with most backing either an outright ban or tougher enforcement, new RAC research reveals. The survey of motorists across England found 77% believe the practice should be prohibited or more rigorously controlled.
However, drivers remain split on the solution. A third (33%) support a comprehensive England-wide ban matching London's existing legislation, whilst 40% favour empowering local councils to ban parking on specific problem pavements. Just 19% said pavement parking should remain permitted, even when causing obstructions.
The practice has long frustrated pedestrians with disabilities, parents with prams, and elderly residents who find pavements blocked or made dangerous. The Government pledged to tackle the issue in its 2019 manifesto, with the Department for Transport consulting on three approaches in 2020: a London-style ban, improved powers for councils, and a revised national parking framework.
Scotland introduced a nationwide pavement parking ban in December 2023, but England has yet to follow. Currently, outside London, English councils can only fine drivers if vehicles cause obstructions or breach specific local restrictions like double yellow lines. This patchwork approach has created enforcement inconsistencies and public frustration.
The RAC findings highlight persistent public demand for clear, consistent policy. The split in preferred solutions suggests any government action must balance pedestrian safety concerns with drivers' practical challenges, particularly in areas lacking off-street parking.