I appreciate that many people are frustrated by the current laws concerning parking on pavements, and that this can be a particular problem in many areas of Bristol. The current laws on pavement parking are often confusing for motorists, dangerous for vulnerable road users and costly for councils who are having to repair damaged pavements.

Decisions on pavement parking are devolved to local authorities, and while in some areas of the country it is illegal to park on a pavement – e.g. London – in other areas it is not prohibited.

A Private Member’s Bill – the Pavement Parking (Protection of Vulnerable Pedestrians) Bill – was introduced to the House of Commons and was debated on 4th December 2015. I broadly supported the proposed measures in the Bill; I was therefore disappointed that the Government chose not to support it proceeding further. However, I welcomed the fact that the Government have committed to further discussions. I hope that we ultimately end up with legislation that will help local authorities to make decisions about parking more simply, with reduced costs, and that we will be able to protect vulnerable pedestrians and all those who use our roads and pavements in our country.

February 2016