The charity Guide Dogs is urging the Government to act following clear public support for a new law on pavement parking in England.



New research released today by Guide Dogs shows that seven in ten adults (70%) would support such a law, with local authorities able to restrict cars parking on pavements.



Pavement parking has been a longstanding issue for many pedestrians, but for many people with disabilities or parents with children, it is a serious safety issue.



A recent Government consultation asking about options to tackle pavement parking, including the introduction of a new law, closed on November 22nd.



Guide Dogs believes a new law limiting pavement parking in England to areas set by local councils is the best option. This system has been in place in London since 1974, and previous Guide Dogs research shows far fewer people with sight loss in London face daily problems with pavement parking, compared with the rest of the UK.



The research released today also revealed that almost two thirds (63 per cent) of people believe that drivers should not be able to park on the pavement, even if there are no parking restrictions. While 87 per cent of people thought pavements should be prioritised for pedestrians, rather than vehicle parking.



Furthermore, 27 per cent of people said they had experienced more issues with pavement parking since March, compared with just eight per cent who had experienced less of a problem with pavement parking.



Terry Quinn from Bradford has been paired with his guide dog Spencer since March. He said: “Even before I was partnered with Spencer I would had problems with pavement parking. One time I was walking along the pavement and there was a car blocking the path with two wheels parked on the pavement. I accidentally touched the car with my cane and a man jumped out the car and began shouting at me and poking my shoulder. I explain it was an accident, but was extremely shaken up and tried get away from him as quick as possible.”



Blanche Shackleton, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, said: “Today’s research shows yet again that a significant majority of people support our call for a clear law on pavement parking.



“The Government have long promised to take action on the matter and is now presented with the perfect opportunity to make pavements safer for all pedestrians, and especially the millions of people with disabilities, and parents with children across England by introducing a clear law on pavement parking.



“Pavement parking has long been a physical barrier to some of the most vulnerable in society. We know that pavement parking makes blind and partially sighted people less willing to go out on their own and can make them feel more lonely or isolated. We eagerly await the outcome of the Government consultation and action being taken to ensure the safety of all pedestrians in the future.”

It's a national disgrace......There are probably more cars driven onto and left on pavements than are actually left on roads.

“Pavement parking has long been a physical barrier to some of the most vulnerable in society. We know that pavement parking makes blind and partially sighted people less willing to go out on their own and can make them feel more lonely or isolated. We eagerly await the outcome of the Government consultation and action being taken to ensure the safety of all pedestrians in the future.”[/QUOTE]

Pavement/Forecourt? Blind people are not able to see the division between a forecourt and a pavement. Yet, so many Business people argue that since the forecourt belongs to them, they can use it for whatever purpose they want - whether it be car parking, tables and chairs or huge containers for shrubs etc., These are all potential hazards for Blind People, for the disabled, for young mothers with children and to a lesser extent, to the general public.

Tables and chairs placed haphazardly on external forecourts - are not Continental at all. Continental Style eateries are set back from pedestrians and traffic in a plaza or square and comprises of eating and drinking places only, to suit all tastes In Southport, these outdoor eating places compete with street signs, bus stops, road crossings, cycle parks, street furniture etc., mixed in with a variety of shops -they are a complete hazard causing many people to walk on the other side of the road - away from businesses that are looking for customers. If Southport station was set back to the railway junction area - there could be a fantastic plaza area created for just this purpose - Lord Street is not the best place for outside eating with vehicle fumes, animals, birds and drains. Yuk!

It is discrimination to target just car drivers. There is no need for businesses to put anything on their forecourts - if they have opened a premises for a particular purpose they should have considered their need before choosing a premises. Front forecourts and pavements in business areas should be kept clear. Both incur negative responses for any business, for while these areas are blocked - any prospective shopper having to negotiate a path around obstacles, will be deterred from looking into any business premises near or around the blockage. Business premises should be warned to keep frontages clear and tidy at all times, failure to do so will incur fines.
Similarly for business people involved in Car dealerships who park cars waiting repairs or surplus cars standing in residential streets along with their staff cars. This creates problems for residents, who have to park further away, causing a domino effect with residents further down the street. There should be permit given out to all residents affected to allow them to park at any time, and there should be timed one hour parking - with fines - for any other vehicles in residential areas.

In business areas there are several parking places which are not detrimental to pedestrians, so there is absolutely no excuse for parking on pavement. Car which drive over pavements onto a forecourt, cause severe damage to the paving, creating more potential problems for pedestrians - any driver having done so should face higher fines to help pay for the damage.

Where it would be impossible for residents to park on their road without obstructing two way traffic - then parking on the pavement has to be allowed unless purpose built car parks are allocated for such areas. Far too many new residential buildings have been allowed to be built, with either no, or too few parking spaces which has massively exacerbated the problems on all roads leading into the town. Amen