Accessibility 
On 8 January, the UK Government announced new powers for local authorities in England; powers to tackle pavement parking. Pavement parking might look like a small inconvenience, but for disabled people who have limited mobility or navigate with a cane or a guide dog, it can be a serious, and at times dangerous, barrier.
While the progress in this area has been welcomed, many disability charities and Disabled People’s Organisations are worried that the devolved approach without a national ban will lead to inconsistencies. Postcode lottery of transport accessibility was a core finding of the Joined Up Policies, Joined Up Journeys report by the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat), through the Accessible Transport Policy Commission, for which Policy Connect provides the secretariat.
We can work towards consistent, seamless journeys while respecting devolution through a new Pavement Accessibility Standard.
Why is the change needed?
The Government consultation
Right now, councils have very limited powers to stop pavement parking. Enforcement is mainly limited to heavy commercial vehicles, designated restrictions, and vehicles crossing yellow lines.
In 2020, the Government ran a public consultation to which over 15,000 people responded. The consultation showed the existing system has not been working, with 92% of local authorities and 82% of individuals highlighting that pavement parking was a problem in their area.
The impact on disabled people
When we gathered evidence for our Joined Up Policies, Joined Up Journeys report, more than a quarter of respondents told us pavement parking was a key barrier to active travel. Many described being forced off pavements and into the road, which exposed them to real safety risks.
Blind and partially sighted people report this even more starkly. In RNIB’s In My Way report, 92% said they had been forced into the road to get around obstacles, especially because of pavement parking.
What is changing?
The Government now plans to give councils in Strategic Authority areas outside London, and county councils, powers to act on “unnecessary obstruction” of pavements.
Under the new law, councils will be able to prohibit pavement parking across whole areas and fine drivers for unnecessary obstruction.
Introducing the changes, the Minister for Local Transport, Lilian Greenwood, said:
“The Government is taking forward a new, devolved approach to pavement parking, reflecting our commitment to decisions being made closer to the communities they affect. Local leaders know their communities best, so they are in the strongest position to figure out how to meet local needs effectively.”
Is it enough?
Charities for blind and partially sighted people have been leading the campaigns to tackle pavement parking. Many welcomed progress while pushing for stronger actions.
RNIB pointed to insights from Scotland’s devolved approach since 2023. With no consistent national standards, enforcement has been patchy, with only 21 out of 32 local authorities enforcing pavement parking. Thomas Pocklington Trust has called for an outright national ban to ensure disabled people’s safety.
While flexibility is important, it is vital that accessibility and safety do not rely on a postcode lottery.
How do we get there?
What the UK Government should do
The Government should co-produce a single national Pavement Accessibility Standard that covers pavement parking. This would bring together best-practice guides already available, including those published by the previous government and created by disability advocacy groups.
The standard should be co-designed with disability advocacy groups, road-safety charities, local authorities, and transport planners. With prioritising pavement parking, the standard could cover:
- Minimum pavement widths
- Maximum allowed vehicle overhang
- Standards for pedestrian safety risk assessments
A clear, shared definition of what counts as safe and accessible would reduce inconsistency, protect disabled people, and still allow councils to decide details such as the level of fines.
The proposed Accessible Transport Policy Commission could take this on as an early priority, working with devolved nations to build on lessons learned from recent changes.
What local authorities should do
To consider the needs and safety of disabled people, local authorities should establish advisory accessibility panels, chaired by a councillor and composed of disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations. Pavement parking would be one of the initial priorities for these panels.
As an immediate step, councillors and mayors may wish to sign the ncat Accessible Transport Charter. The Charter commits signatories to making transport in their local areas accessible by advocating for their council to adopt a series of practical policies that will help break down barriers to travel for disabled people. These policies include a commitment to:
“Make our streets accessible, inclusive and safe for disabled people. This will include working with my local authority to make it easier for the public to report accessibility problems, and securing dedicated funding to tackle inaccessible streets.”
You can sign the charter here.
