Home / Crime and Justice / Pavement Parking Ban: A New Dawn for Visually Impaired?
Pavement Parking Ban: A New Dawn for Visually Impaired?
17 Jan
Summary
- Blind individuals are forced into roads due to cars blocking pavements.
- New powers will allow councils to fine motorists for pavement parking.
- One in five people with sight loss have been injured by pavement parking.
Visually impaired individuals are facing perilous journeys due to widespread pavement parking, which forces them into busy roads. Anna Lawson from Leeds described her daily walks to the shops as stressful, often navigating pavements blocked by cars with her guide dog, Finn. This situation is set to improve as councils across England will soon receive enhanced powers to issue fines to motorists who park inconsiderately on pavements, creating hazards for pedestrians.
The upcoming regulations are a significant step towards making local areas more accessible, particularly for people with sight loss, wheelchair users, and those with prams. Currently, pavement parking is banned in London and Scotland. However, the new nationwide measures will enable English councils to enforce restrictions on specific streets, directly addressing problematic parking. Guide Dogs UK advocates for this change, highlighting that consigning pavement parking to history would be revolutionary for accessibility.
Research from Guide Dogs UK reveals the severity of the issue, with one in five individuals with sight loss having suffered injuries from pavement-parked vehicles. Lawson herself experienced a fall after her cane became stuck under a car's tailgate. Beyond physical recovery, such incidents can erode confidence and impact daily life, including affecting travel choices and causing missed appointments due to longer, safer routes.
