Hundreds of motorists back tougher rules on 'incredibly dangerous' parking

Pavement parking is an issue of “substantial concern” among UK road users, a survey has suggested, as two-thirds of people polled called for new laws to ban it nationally. It is already illegal to park on the pavement in London and Scotland, but drivers are only advised not to stop on paths across the rest of the country.

A new poll of 1,000 respondents from experts at Tiger.co.uk found that a whopping 68% of British road users believe pavement parking should be banned across the entire UK. This suggests there is widespread support for major rules changes which would be one of the biggest motoring shake-ups for decades. Ian Wilson, Managing Director and car insurance expert at Tiger.co.uk highlighted just how important pavement parking was proving to be.

He said: “Pavement parking can be incredibly dangerous for pedestrians, especially those with mobility issues or young children in prams. With two-thirds of Brits calling for a UK-wide ban, the issue appears to be of substantial concern.

“There also seems to be confusion around the current laws, with one in five respondents saying they didn’t know pavement parking is already illegal in London and Scotland. It’s clear we need stricter and more consistent laws across the country to produce a more unified approach to this road safety issue. Increased awareness and larger fines for those in violation of the parking laws could improve road safety dramatically.”

Drivers in London are currently charged £130 for stopping on the pavement, with those in Scotland slapped with £100 charges. However, everywhere else in the country the Highway Code simply says individuals “should not” park on the pavement unless a sign permits it.

This means rules are not backed up by any legislation, with road users unlikely to receive fines. However, the lack of clarity means many drivers are simply unaware they could be putting other individuals at risk by blocking pavements.

This is because pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, those with visual impairments and parents with pushchairs could be forced to step into the road instead if a car blocks the pavement. The previous Government consulted on pavement parking, presenting several options for change back in 2023.

One of these options was a full investigation into the possibility of a widespread UK ban. The report found that although possible, it would be the most significant change to English parking law in several decades.

Labour has taken up the baton, with a bill to amend the law relating to parking on verges and footways in England currently at its second reading stage.