Prohibition of Parking on Pavements Bill

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prohibit the parking of motor vehicles on pavements in England, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

Section 1 - Definitions

(1) In this Act—

a) "Pavement" or “Footpath” refers to any area primarily intended for pedestrian use adjacent to a road or public thoroughfare.

b) "Vehicle" refers to any mechanically propelled vehicle motorised vehicle, including motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and electric bicycles, and any other mode of motorised transportation.

Section 2 - Offence of Parking on Pavements

(1) It shall be an offence for any person to park a vehicle on any pavement or footpath adjacent to any road or public thoroughfare narrower than 8000mm within England, except in circumstances explicitly designated by local authorities such as through designated parking bays or areas.

Section 3 - Penalties and Enforcement

"(1) Any person guilty of an offence under section 2 shall be liable to a fixed penalty notice under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

(2) Upon nonpayment of the fixed penalty notice under subsection (1) within a period of 28 days following its issuance, such person is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding Level Three on the standard scale for England and Wales.

(3) Upon second or subsequent conviction for an offence under subsection (2) of this section, such person is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding Level Four on the standard scale for England and Wales."

Section 4 - Exemptions

(1) This Act shall not apply to emergency vehicles engaged in official duties.

(2) Local authorities may grant temporary exemptions for specific events or circumstances where parking on pavements is deemed necessary, subject to the issuance of appropriate permits or temporary permissions.

(3) Local authorities may grant permanent exemptions for locations where parking on pavements is deemed necessary or unavoidable or where the prohibition of parking on pavements would not be conducive to the public good.

(4) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this section with respect to a vehicle if he proves to the satisfaction of the court that the vehicle was parked—

(a) in accordance with permission given by a constable in uniform; or

(b) for the purpose of saving life or extinguishing a fire or meeting any other emergency; or

(c) for the purpose of rendering assistance at the scene of an accident or a bona fide breakdown involving one or more vehicles, and—

(i) such assistance could not have been safely or satisfactorily rendered if the vehicle had not been so parked; and

(ii) the vehicle was not left unattended at any time while it was so parked; or

(d) for the purpose of loading or unloading goods for a period not exceeding 20 minutes or such longer period as the council may permit, and—

(i) the loading or unloading of the vehicle could not have been satisfactorily performed if it had not been so parked; and

(ii) the vehicle was not left unattended at any time while it was so parked.

(5) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this Act if they can sufficiently prove they are a resident in a property, or employed at a property within 200 metres of their parked car.

(6) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this Act if they can sufficiently prove that they are temporarily visiting a property within 200 metres of their parked car.

(7) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this section with respect to a vehicle if they hold a badge issued under section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

Section 5 - Commencement, short title and extent

(1) This Act comes into force three months after receiving royal assent.

(2) This Act may be cited as the Prohibition of Parking on Pavements Act 2023.

(3) This Act extends to England only.

This Bill was written by His Grace the Most Honourable Sir /u/Sephronar KG KCT GBE LVO PC MP MSP FRS, the 1st Duke of Hampshire, 1st Marquess of St Ives, 1st Earl of St Erth, 1st Baron of Truro on behalf of His Majesty’s 33rd Government - with Section 4(3) being adapted from Section 15(3) of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1974.

Opening Speech:

This important piece of law tries to address a rising issue that impacts everyone's safety and wellbeing, but especially that of people with disabilities. I was surprised in all honesty that this law was not already in force - it is illegal to drive on a pavement, but not to park there.

I want to draw attention, in particular, to how parking on sidewalks adversely affects those with visual impairments, particularly blind people. Imagine navigating the streets having little or no vision. The world is now navigated with care, using touch, sound, and memory with each step. Imagine how parking on the pavement could upset this delicate equilibrium and present significant difficulties for people who are visually impaired.

Parking on the pavement blocks the very pathways that people with disabilities depend on for safe and independent transportation. It forces them onto the highways, putting them in danger from moving traffic. For blind persons, this maze of illegally parked cars not only presents physical risks, but also erodes their self-confidence and limits their freedom to move about. All people should be able to access and feel safe on pavement, but when it is blocked by parked cars, it creates an impenetrable barrier for people with disabilities. Blind people are compelled to deviate from their intended path because they can't see impediments or uneven surfaces on their mental maps of the surroundings.

This not only disrupts their daily routines but also exposes them to potential accidents and injuries.

Additionally, parking on the pavement fosters a sense of seclusion and isolation. It conveys to people with disabilities that their needs and rights are not taken into consideration, making them feel inferior in their own communities. As a caring and welcoming society, it is our responsibility to speak out against these practices and promote equality for all.

We can convey a strong message of support to those with disabilities, especially those who suffer from vision impairments, by passing the Prohibition of Parking on Pavements Bill. We can state that their security, usability, and dignity are important to us. This Bill will provide local authorities the powers to impose parking restrictions, paving the way for those who depend on it the most.

Let's picture a society where blind people can confidently cross the street because they are capable of doing so on their own. Let's make sure that our pavements are equal-access routes where no one is hampered by careless parking decisions. Let's seize this chance to improve the lives of our fellow residents by working together.

I hope that you all will back this Bill; and we can do something important to assist people with disabilities and promote an inclusive and accessible society.

Together, we have the power to significantly improve the lives of people who need it most.

Voting on this bill shall end on the 26th July at 10pm BST.