Pavement parking: it's an issue that many people in Kent have strong feelings about.

Pedestrians - particularly wheelchair users or parents pushing buggies - become rightly irate when they find their path blocked by a car parked half on the pavement and they end up risking their lives by having to step into the road to go around it.

On the other hand, there are plenty of busy roads where it is still possible to park legally in the carriageway, but to do so would undoubtedly create hold-ups for other motorists.

Is it then justifiable to park half on the pavement so as not to impede traffic flow?

In London, parking on the pavement is banned by a specific Act of Parliament.

Elsewhere the situation is less clear.

Although there is legislation that authorities can use to pass an order outlawing pavement parking, most haven't done so.

Now the Department for Transport has launched a nationwide consultation to gather opinions on the future of pavement parking legislation.

It is proposing three options:

1. Improving the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, under which local authorities can already prohibit pavement parking.
2. A legislative change to allow local authorities with civil parking enforcement powers to enforce against ‘unnecessary obstruction of the pavement.’
3. A legislative change to introduce a London-style pavement parking prohibition throughout England.

Local people and councils are being encouraged to respond to the consultation. Kent County Council has not yet decided how it will respond.

Living Streets is a charity that exists to promote walking as the best mean of travel and wants people to be able to do this safely.

Stephen Edwards, director of policy and communications, said: "Pavement parking forces people with wheelchairs, buggies and those living with sight loss into the road and into oncoming traffic.

"We’re regularly contacted by disabled and older people who feel trapped in their homes because there isn’t enough room on the pavement for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

"This has impacted more people during the pandemic with blocked pavements affecting everyone’s ability to physically distance.

"A green and sustainable recovery from Covid-19 relies on our streets being clear and safe. It’s time we follow the lead set by London and Scotland and kick pavement parking off the kerb for good.”

The RAC has recognised the risk posed for pedestrians but questions how it can be enforced. Head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Blocking pavements with vehicles can cause vulnerable pedestrians at best a real inconvenience and at worst puts them at risk.

"There clearly is a case for giving councils additional powers to take action against drivers that block pavement access with their vehicles.

"However, a national ban is likely to be impractical. There are instances, particularly on Britain’s many narrow residential streets, where drivers believe they are doing the right thing by putting a wheel or two on the kerb which allows sufficient space on both the pavement for pedestrians and on the road for other vehicles.

“Therefore better guidance and a definition of what is and isn’t appropriate would be a more practical solution, rather than an outright ban.”

Members of the public have until midnight on November 22 to respond and you can have your say here .

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