The government has confirmed significant changes to pavement parking rules in England.

It paves the way for councils to introduce wider restrictions designed to protect pedestrians while giving local authorities greater flexibility over where vehicles can and cannot mount the kerb.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said new powers due later this year will allow councils to control pavement parking across broader areas, rather than relying on the current “lengthy and complex” street-by-street process.

A clear path

The new official announcement follows years of campaigning by disability groups and road safety organisations, who argue that cars parked on pavements force vulnerable people into the road and make everyday journeys hazardous.

It also involved a public and professional consultation on the issue.

Ministers say the new system is intended to reduce obstacles for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users, blind and partially sighted people and older residents, restoring independence and safety to routine travel.

Local transport minister Lilian Greenwood said clear pavements are “essential” and promised that the reforms would help authorities “crack down on problem pavement parking”.

She added that empowering local leaders would enable communities to “travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go”.

 

 

On the road

Under the revised approach, councils in England will be able to introduce area-wide controls, deciding where action is needed most based on local conditions.

DfT officials stressed that the powers will come with flexibility, allowing for exemptions where pavement parking is considered acceptable.

For example, narrow streets where partial kerb parking helps traffic flow while leaving sufficient space for pedestrians.

Further technical guidance on how councils should apply the rules proportionately will be published later this year.

The government has not yet decided on several details, including the level of fines drivers will face.

As benchmarks, London has enforced a pavement parking ban since 1974, with penalties typically between £140 and £160, while Scotland introduced a national ban in 2025, which carries a £100 fine, reduced to £50 for prompt payment.

Courier care

Fleet operators and delivery companies are being urged to prepare.

The changes mean they will need to reinforce internal policies for drivers or ensure they have accurate information about where exemptions apply.

Many commercial vehicles routinely use partial pavement parking to keep roads clear, and the new framework will require careful local interpretation to ensure free-flowing traffic and clear, safe pavements.

The ayes have it

Public opinion appears broadly supportive of the reform.

However, there is now clear opinion on the nature and level of enforcement and penalties.

RAC research shows 83% of drivers want pavement parking tackled, but views split between those favouring a full national ban and those preferring targeted local restrictions.

Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, said the proposals reflect motorists’ desire for a balanced approach.

“No pavement user should be made to walk or wheel into the road because of someone else’s inconsiderate parking,” he said, while supporting powers that allow councils to prohibit pavement parking where it causes problems but permit it where it is safe and practical.

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker also welcomed the move, calling it a “practical step” that would help communities move around “safely, confidently and independently”.

He said most drivers aim to park considerately and that local decision-making would allow solutions that reflect the realities of individual streets.

 

Into line

While the precise penalties and timetables are still to be confirmed, the direction of travel is clear: closer alignment with rules and regulations in London and Scotland.

For motorists, the changes will mean paying closer attention to local restrictions, checking signage and recognising that what has long been customary in some neighbourhoods may soon be prohibited.

For pedestrians, particularly those for whom a blocked pavement can be an insurmountable barrier, ministers hope the result will be safer, clearer and more accessible streets.