Local councils across England are permitting pavement parking, a practice that disability advocates argue significantly hinders pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments or mobility challenges. A BBC Freedom of Information request revealed that just over half of the 164 responding local authorities allow cars to park on pavements in some areas.
Rob Moulds, a visually impaired resident from Birmingham who uses a cane, described navigating pavements with parked cars and bins as being "like a pinball machine." He stated that while he understands parking scarcity, the solution should not come at the expense of pedestrians' access and safety.
Clive Hawkins, another resident, voiced concern that without pavement parking, roads like Fordhouse Lane would become "manic," impeding essential services such as ambulances and buses. He noted that existing garage space is insufficient for the number of vehicles.
Birmingham City Council acknowledged the difficulties pavement parking creates. Councillor Harris Khaliq, cabinet member for city operations and digital, confirmed the council has been seeking new powers to ensure clearer pavements and welcomed the government's decision to grant councils these abilities. The council is awaiting official guidance on how to implement these powers effectively.
Of the 84 councils that allow pavement parking, only five reported plans to remove these designated spaces. This practice occurs against a backdrop of a record number of licensed vehicles in the UK, exceeding 42.3 million by December 2025, and a trend of increasing car width, sometimes referred to as 'carspreading'.
While London, Exeter, and all of Scotland have general pavement parking bans, enforcement elsewhere has historically relied on police action against obstructions. However, the UK government is set to provide councils with new enforcement powers starting in September, allowing them to address unnecessary pavement obstructions even outside areas covered by specific Traffic Regulation Orders. Notably, even within London's ban, 27 of the 33 local authorities permit pavement parking exceptions through designated bays or signage in certain locations.