A Labour MP is proposing fines for drivers and riders who park cars, e-bikes, and e-scooters on pavements. Marsha de Cordova, who is registered blind, argues that this practice puts pedestrians at risk and forces them into the road. The bill proposes empowering local councils to take action against pavement parking, similar to existing legislation in London and Scotland.
Drivers and riders could face fines for parking cars, e-bikes, and e-scooters on pavements under a potential law proposed by a Labour MP. Marsha de Cordova, who is registered blind, argued that pedestrians are at risk of injury as people are often forced into the road to navigate these obstacles. De Cordova told the House of Commons that 95% of people with sight loss have had to walk in the road due to vehicles parked on pavements.
This figure rose to 99% for wheelchair users and those using mobility scooters. MPs heard that wheelchair users, people with pushchairs, and individuals with visual impairment are among those significantly affected by this problem. The Battersea MP calls for existing London laws granting councils the power to take action against drivers and cyclists to be implemented across the rest of England. A similar policy has already been adopted in Scotland. Transport policy is devolved in Wales and Northern Ireland. An existing law prohibiting car parking on public paths has been in place since 1980, but it relies on police enforcement. Introducing her Ten Minute Rule Bill, de Cordova stated, “Pavement parking prevents many people from living their lives, from working, from socializing, from taking their children to school or getting to that vital appointment, and that has to change.” She added, “Between the lack of a clear definition of what constitutes an obstruction, and the lack of police resources, relying on police enforcement has not proven effective. “There is a clear need for a law that brings the rest of England in line with London and Scotland. Councils need to be empowered to take action as they know their areas best. “This Bill would give them the flexibility to create limited exemptions in response to consultation with their local areas and communities.” She continued, “We have clear evidence that laws like this can, and do work, and I urge the house to support this Bill.” De Cordova also pointed out the issue of abandoned dockless e-bikes and e-scooters, which are increasingly obstructive on pavements as schemes gain popularity in cities like London, Greater Manchester, and Nottingham. The Government announced potential new powers for local authorities in England last year, which would allow them to regulate these schemes. “While we should commend progress made on pavement parking in London, increasingly we are seeing abandoned rental e-scooters and e-bikes obstructive pavements. This remains a problem in my Battersea constituency,” she said. “The Bill would increase the power of local authorities to introduce penalties for operators and riders of e-bikes and e-scooters left on pavements.” The previous Conservative government initiated a consultation on stopping pavement parking in 2020, but ministers did not release its findings. “I welcome the minister for the future of roads’ (Lilian Greenwood) commitment that this Government is looking at all options and will come forward with a response to the consultation in due course and I look forward to working with her on that,” de Cordova said. The proposed legislation will be debated at its second reading on May 16
Pavement Parking Fines Labour MP Accessibility E-Bikes E-Scooters Pedestrian Safety Local Councils
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