Local authorities across England are set to receive new powers to introduce area-wide pavement parking restrictions, a move designed to improve accessibility and safety for disabled people and other vulnerable road users.
Blocked pavements can create serious barriers for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users, blind and partially sighted people, and older people, limiting independence and making everyday journeys more difficult and less safe.
Following a public consultation, the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed it will provide local leaders with strengthened legal powers to address pavement parking more effectively. The changes will allow councils to implement restrictions across wider areas, rather than relying on the current approach, which often limits action to individual streets and involves lengthy and complex procedures.
Image: Road Safety UK
The DfT said local leaders are best placed to understand their streets and respond to local needs. Under the new framework, councils will be able to decide where and how to take action on pavement parking, while retaining flexibility in locations where pavement parking may still be considered acceptable.
Lilian Greenwood, local transport minister, said: “Clear pavements are essential for people to move around safely and independently, whether that’s a parent with a pushchair, someone using a wheelchair, or a blind or partially sighted person.
“That’s why we’re giving local authorities the power to crack down on problem pavement parking, allowing more people to travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go.”
Disability groups have welcomed the announcement, highlighting the daily challenges caused by vehicles obstructing pavements.
Andrew Lennox, Guide Dogs’ chief executive, said: “After years of campaigning, we welcome the announcement to give councils greater powers to tackle problem pavement parking.
“Cars blocking pavements are a nuisance for everyone, but especially dangerous for people with sight loss, who can be forced into the road with traffic they can’t see. Pavement parking is also a barrier that shuts people out of everyday life.
“When pavements are blocked, people with sight loss lose confidence, independence and the freedom to travel safely. This stops people accessing work, education and social opportunities.”
The Department for Transport said it will publish guidance later in 2026 to help councils use the new powers in a proportionate and locally appropriate way, ensuring a balance between accessibility, enforcement and local circumstances.
