Drivers urged to snitch on other motorists for pavement parking as calls grow for law changes

Pavement parking is only illegal in London and Scotland, although support is growing for more to be done to crack down on the harmful practice.

Local authorities are able to introduce Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO), which outline specific rules around pavement parking.

Many concerned residents have noted that drivers who park on pavements are being selfish by forcing pedestrians into the road as they cannot get around the car on the pavement.

This can be particularly damaging for people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, as well as people with pushchairs.

Councillors Andrew Cross and Katie Collier have suggested that drivers should contact the police and their local representatives if they spot people parking on the pavement.

They also called on them to take pictures of drivers who take up space on the pavement, Worcester News reported.

Members of the local authority aim to raise awareness of the issue in a bid to strengthen enforcement action against vehicle owners parking on pavements.

Councillor Collier, who represents the Leopard Hill ward for Worcester City Council, clarified that pavement parking was not a victimless problem, describing it as "a blight".

The Green Party representative added: "Every car parked on a pavement pushes someone else into the road - a person with a disability, a parent with a buggy, a child on a bike, an older neighbour with a stick."

In a newsletter to constituents, the Green Party urged drivers to "report" any vehicles deemed to be causing a danger or an obstruction by parking on the pavement.

They noted that all reports help to "build the case for stronger enforcement and safer streets".

Residents can contact their local councillors or MPs to suggest suitable areas where a Traffic Regulation Order could be introduced, which could ban pavement parking.

The Green Party added: "Police usually intervene only if access for emergency vehicles is blocked or a driveway is obstructed. For pavement parking, the police refer people to the local council.

"TROs are costly and time-consuming for county councils to introduce, making widespread enforcement difficult."

The Government previously launched a consultation looking into the issue of pavement parking, although it is yet to publish the findings.

Speaking in 2023, then-Transport Minister Richard Holden said the consultation had received tens of thousands of responses, as he warned there could be a delay in publishing results.

In September of this year, Labour MP for Battersea, Marsha De Cordova, sponsored the Pavement Parking Bill to crack down on the practice outside of Greater London and Wales.

The Bill is currently in the second reading stage, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, December 5, although the House is not expected to be sitting on that day.