Labour has finally given the green light to new pavement parking rules that will give councils additional powers to crack down on drivers blocking routes for pedestrians.
Local authorities across England will soon have the power to introduce pavement parking restrictions across their area in a move designed to support parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and blind people.
It comes more than five years after the previous Conservative Government launched a consultation to hear opinions on how to tackle pavement parking at a local or national level.
Since then, Scotland has become the first country across the UK to take action against motorists parking their vehicles on the pavement, with drivers facing fines for breaking the rules.
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The Department for Transport has now confirmed that local leaders will be given new and improved legal powers to make it easier to restrict pavement parking.
It noted that this would replace the previous approach, which relied on enforcing rules on individual streets, which often failed to make a real difference to pedestrians.
The Government confirmed that it would set out guidance for local authorities later this year to crack down on pavement parking across England.
Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said people need to have safe access to pavements in their local areas to keep their independence when not using the roads.
Labour has announced a crackdown on pavement parking across England
| GETTYShe added that this was especially true for parents with pushchairs, people using wheelchairs, or those who are blind or partially sighted.
"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," the Labour MP for Nottingham South said.
The original consultation proposed three options, including improving the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, legislative changes with civil parking enforcement powers, or a London-style pavement parking ban.
Drivers in the capital have been banned from parking on the pavement since 1974 through the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1974.
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While exemptions are in place, motorists are generally banned from leaving their vehicles on the pavement, or they could be hit with a penalty charge notice.
The move has been backed by the Guide Dogs charity, which has been campaigning for new rules to be introduced since before the consultation was launched.
Its chief executive, Andrew Lennox, said: "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."
Labour said it would announce guidance for local authorities later this year
| GETTYThis was echoed by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, who said local leaders would now be able to improve conditions for pedestrians, describing it as a "practical step".
"Most drivers want to park safely and considerately and these new powers help in areas where dangerous parking causes real problems," he added.
Data from the RAC shows that most drivers agree that pavement users should not be forced into the road because someone has left their vehicle on the pavement.
Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, said: "These proposals should clear the way for councils to prevent pavement parking where it causes problems, but permit drivers to partially park on pavements where doing so helps keep traffic flowing and doesn't inconvenience other people."