Written question WQ100512

Responsibility for tackling pavement parking is currently shared between local authorities and the police.

The police can take action where pavement parking amounts to a criminal offence, including unnecessary obstruction of the highway, dangerous parking, or driving on the footway. They may issue fixed penalties, require a vehicle to be moved, or arrange for its removal.

Local authorities have more limited powers. They can enforce existing parking restrictions through civil enforcement, make Traffic Regulation Orders prohibiting pavement parking in specific locations, and use highways powers where vehicles create hazards or obstruct maintenance activities. However, councils cannot generally enforce pavement parking solely because a vehicle is parked on the pavement.

This Government is committed to making walking, wheeling and cycling safe, practical and accessible choices for everyday journeys.

Pavement parking can create significant barriers for pedestrians, particularly disabled people, older people, children and people with pushchairs. We are therefore working to raise awareness that pavements are for pedestrians, supported by effective enforcement.

Officials have been in discussions with Transport Scotland and the Department for Transport and are now considering how best to provide local authorities across Wales with further powers to tackle pavement parking.