Councils to be given powers to keep cars from parking on pavements

Under the new powers, councils in England will be able to make it easier to restrict pavement parking across wider areas, rather than relying on the previous approach, where action is often limited to individual streets and requires lengthy, complex processes.

This follows a consultation on the proposals, which was carried out by the Conservative Government in 2020.

Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said clear pavements "are essential for people to move around safely and independently, whether that’s a parent with a pushchair, someone using a wheelchair, or a blind or partially sighted person".

He added: "That’s why we’re giving local authorities the power to crack down on problem pavement parking, allowing more people to travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go."

Commenting on the announcement, Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive, Andrew Lennox, said that keeping cars from parking on the pavement would help those with sight loss, who might otherwise be forced into the road with traffic they cannot see.

"We look forward to working with the government and local authorities to ensure these changes are introduced quickly and consistently enforced so pavement parking becomes a thing of the past," he said.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, meanwhile said the new powers would help in areas where dangerous parking "causes real problems", adding: "Giving decisions to local leaders means solutions that reflect how our streets actually work.

"It’s a practical step that helps people move around safely, confidently and independently in their own communities."

The Department for Transport will set out guidance to help local authorities use these powers in a proportionate and locally appropriate way later in 2026.

Adam Carey