Plans for a nationwide ban on pavement parking have been pushed back from July to October, exposing deep divisions among MPs and the public over the controversial issue.
The Parking Offence Bill’s second reading, originally scheduled for Friday, July 11, has been quietly dropped from this month’s Commons agenda.
New research has revealed a sharp split in public opinion ahead of the delayed debate, with a survey finding that almost one in five respondents support a ban to improve conditions for pedestrians, wheelchair users and parents with prams.
However, around one in 10 shared concerns that it would increase congestion in local car parks and make loading or unloading more difficult near homes.
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The Second Reading of the Pavement Parking Bill has been pushed back to October
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However, one in three respondents were unsure what a ban would mean for them personally, highlighting confusion caused by patchy enforcement and unclear guidance.
Andy Syrett, UK managing director at YourParkingSpace, said: “This is a live issue that affects almost every street in the country. If a nationwide ban is introduced, it would mean a major change to how millions of people park their cars and live their daily lives.
“There’s strong support for safer, more accessible pavements. But it’s clear many drivers are worried about the disruption, especially in built-up areas where space is already tight.”
Currently, pavement parking is banned in London and Scotland. Elsewhere in England and Wales, councils can fine drivers in some cases, but no nationwide policy exists.
The issue gained renewed attention in January when Battersea MP Marsha De Cordova presented a Private Member’s Bill to Parliament, sharing powerful testimony from disabled constituents.
Pavement parking is currently illegal in London and parts of Scotland
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“My life hinges on my ability to trust in the safety of my surroundings, but when pavement parking obstructs the path, it robs me of my independence, confidence, and my trust in the world around me,” a guide dog owner told MPs.
De Cordova revealed that 95 per cent of people living with sight loss have been forced to walk in the road due to pavement parking, rising to 99 per cent for wheelchair or mobility scooter users.
Another constituent described the stark contrast when travelling outside London: “People park everywhere, and don’t leave enough space for me, my guide dog, and my young son to pass.”
In response, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood promised action “very soon”, telling MPs she is “determined to tackle pavement parking” after the previous Government “failed to act”.
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Greenwood confirmed the Government is “committed to publishing a formal response and announcing next steps for pavement parking as soon as possible”.
She acknowledged that pavement parking is “absolutely fundamental to safety and accessibility of our public realm”, affecting not just disabled people but also “children walking on the pavement” and “parents pushing buggies and prams”.
The Minister emphasised the importance of “getting this right” while working “speedily” with officials, though she did not provide a specific timeline for implementation.
She explained that officials are currently reviewing consultation outcomes, including views from local authorities on whether the ban could be feasible.
The Battersea MP introduced a nationwide pavement parking Bill into Parliament in January
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Cross-party MPs have raised specific local concerns during a May parliamentary session, with Liberal Democrat MP Paul Kohler highlighting dangers near a South Wimbledon primary school where pavement parking forces “parents and children into the road, an obvious danger”.
Conservative MP Rebecca Paul called it “a real problem” for her Red Hill constituents and mentioned Guide Dogs’ long-running campaign on the issue.
Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist recalled meeting visually impaired constituents in 2018 who “demonstrated to me that pavement parking prevented them from using pavements safely, undermining their independence and confidence and putting them at risk of injury”.
Despite cross-party support and Greenwood’s assurance of working “speedily” to address the issue, the Government’s formal response to the consultation remains pending.
