Parking on the Pavement UK
Today, finding an affordable and convenient parking spot is one of the biggest challenges faced by motorists. This can be especially problematic for those who reside in town or city centres, or blocks of flats without their own parking spaces. If you do not have a driveway or specific space to park at home, you may be tempted to park on the pavement. Whether you can park legally on the pavement or not is a contentious issue. So, are you running the risk of falling foul of traffic wardens or car parking enforcement officials if you park on the pavement? For your benefit and to help you save a few pounds in parking fines, let’s take a few minutes to look at the rules governing parking on the pavement in the UK.
Is Parking on the Pavement Subject to any Specific Rules or Regulations
The only place in this country where parking on the pavement is illegal is in London. There may, however, be civil and criminal laws in certain other parts of the country that discourage motorists from doing so. Most people consider parking on the pavement as anti-social behaviour, especially where the walkway is narrow. The reason is that it can cause inconvenience to pedestrians such as mothers pushing prams or people using wheelchairs, and possibly put them at risk of getting hit by passing traffic. It is possible that the police will charge you with causing an obstruction if anyone makes a formal complaint.
What Chance is There That Parking on The Pavement Will Be Made Illegal Throughout the UK
As it stands there is very little chance of parking on the pavement being made illegal throughout the UK. A consultation exercise was conducted by the Department of Transport in 2020 aimed specifically at tracking the depth of the problem. They proposed three options aimed at making it easier for local authorities to apply for TROs, which would give them more powers when it comes to enforcing pavement parking restrictions. However, at the time of writing of this article, there have been no further developments. The Scottish parliament did pass legislation banning parking on the pavement, but it has not yet been implemented.
Am I Allowed to Park on The Pavement Outside My Own Property
Pavements, even when they are directly outside your front door are considered public highways and they are not part of your property. Due to this, you are not permitted to park your car there unless you live on a private road, in which case a different set of bylaws may apply. Where people with disabilities are concerned the rules vary slightly, they can apply to the local authority to have a disabled parking bay painted on the road outside their home.
Can You Be Fined for Parking on the Pavement
The police and local government in your area are the ones who have the final say. As for parking enforcement rules, they can vary greatly from location to location, but you could get a parking ticket from either the police or a traffic warden if your vehicle is considered to be causing an obstruction.
What can local authorities do to stop cars from parking on pavement?
They can use red or yellow lines to allow parking during certain periods or prohibit it completely. Bollards or other physical barriers can also be installed to prevent vehicles from parking on the pavement. However, the local authority must make sure that any such barriers do not impede pedestrians.
This piece is by no means exhaustive, but it should provide you with enough information so you can make an informed decision if you wish to park on pavements and avoid excessive fines.
