Tim Loughton MP has expressed his support for a new law aimed at tackling the scourge of pavement parking.
The Bill, introduced by Martin Horwood MP, aims to return the use of pavements back to pedestrians and stop vehicles parking on pavements which often makes it difficult for the disabled, those with prams or buggies, people with children and older people to use the pavement in a safe way. The Bill also aims to clarify, strengthen and simplify the law relating to parking on pavements.
Currently, the laws governing parking on pavements are piecemeal and there is no national prohibition except relating to heavy commercial vehicles. Local authorities have the ability to introduce Traffic Regulation Orders for specific areas but cannot enforce no parking on pavements over a whole locality.
The Pavement Parking Bill would make it a civil offence to park on pavements and would give local authorities the ability to enforce this at their own discretion.
Tim Loughton MP has written to his colleague Mr Horwood to express his support for the Bill. This follows Tim’s support for similar proposals put forward by the Living Streets campaign and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Commenting, Tim said ‘Pavement parking is often done out of laziness and currently the only way to stop this would be to call the Police and report an obstruction of the highway. That would be a waste of Police time and does not resolve the wider problem. It is just not right that those with poor eye-sight, those who are elderly and those with wheelchairs or buggies have to cross the road and unnecessarily put themselves in harm’s way because of anti-social parking. We need to change the mind-set of pavement parkers and let the pedestrian use the pavement safely. That is why I support this proposal to change the law’.
The Bill was due to be debated last Friday but has been adjourned and is scheduled for its second reading in March.