The UK government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is granting local councils new authority to prohibit pavement parking across England, a move that follows years of advocacy by safety campaigners. Despite Starmer stepping down as Prime Minister, the long-awaited legislation is set to take effect.
New Powers for Local Authorities
Local authorities have been invited to apply for these enhanced powers to keep footpaths clear in their areas. This will streamline the process for councils to enforce parking restrictions, aiming to improve safety for vulnerable pedestrians, including the elderly, disabled individuals, and parents with young children. Drivers who breach the rules face fines of up to £70, based on existing council parking penalty charge notices.
Birmingham City Council Leads the Way
Birmingham City Council is among the authorities confirming it will apply for the new powers. Rather than implementing a blanket city-wide ban, pavement parking restrictions are expected to target specific streets, with the city centre and busy roads likely prioritized. Quieter residential streets may be excluded unless there are specific concerns.
Councillor Majid Mahmood, Birmingham's former roads boss, stated: "These powers will help us make our pavements safer, more accessible and more inclusive for everyone who relies on them. Inconsiderate and illegal pavement parking creates barriers to walking and cycling and for those who need mobility aids, and can contribute to road collisions."
Enforcement and Implementation
Enforcement is expected to operate similarly to double yellow lines, with traffic wardens patrolling hotspot locations. Town halls may introduce rules at different times, potentially creating a postcode lottery where some areas adopt bans later or not at all. The government announced these new powers following years of safety campaigning on the issue.
