Pavement parking allowed by half of councils in England
Half of all councils in England currently permit pavement parking, a practice that disability advocates argue creates significant accessibility barriers. While councils cite the need to manage parking on narrow streets, residents and charities are calling for stricter regulations to protect pedestrians.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the ongoing tension between urban infrastructure limitations and the rights of disabled citizens to navigate public spaces safely.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Emily Unia & Jonathan Fagg England Data Unit BBC Councils have said pavement parking can be necessary, particularly on older and more narrow streets Half of all councils in England actively encourage parking on pavements through marked bays or signage, BBC research has found.
The Local Government Association said pavement parking was one of the most complained about issues, but "councils have to balance the needs of all users".
However, disability charities have said the practice makes streets harder to navigate for wheelchair users and people with limited sight.
Wheelchair user Hana Kitson said there were classes and activities she was unable to attend as she could not get past the cars parked on her street.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in