Pavement parking has become a growing annoyance for pedestrians and motorists alike—so much so that 83% of drivers in England want the government to take action, according to new RAC research.

The last few years have witnessed an increasing momentum for a ban on pavement parking across the country.

Parking in general has become an increasingly significant issue with the growing number of cars, resident parking schemes, and ever-larger vehicles.

The right approach

Among 1,709 drivers surveyed, 42% support a complete national ban on pavement parking across England, while a nearly identical 41% favour empowering councils with simpler powers to restrict it on specific roads where it poses a real problem.

When asked how offenders should be treated:

  • 44% say a first-time offender should receive a written warning, followed by fines for repeated violations.

  • 17% favour an immediate fine.

  • 16% support a warning, then a fine plus three penalty points on future offences.

  • 5% believe offenders should get an immediate fine plus penalty points.

  • 18% don’t believe pavement parking should be considered an offence at all.

Widespread problems

Pavement parking is not a minor issue.

66% of drivers report seeing vehicles parked partly or wholly on pavements near their homes.

Of those:

  • 33% witness this every day

  • 30% see it most days

  • Only 5% say they never see it

Nearly 44% of those who witness pavement parking say pedestrians are often forced into the road, with another 44% saying it happens occasionally.

Just 12% said it never happens.

London has banned pavement parking since 1974, imposing fines between £140 and £160 depending on location.

In Scotland, a ban introduced in 2025 carries a £100 penalty, which is reduced to £50 if paid within two weeks.

Elsewhere, councils in England must rely on Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to prohibit pavement parking on specific streets, a lengthy and expensive process.

Government response

The Department for Transport (DfT) is reportedly preparing to announce its next steps, following the stalled 2020 consultation.

Transport minister Lilian Greenwood cited that the DfT is “considering all the views expressed” and is working through the policy options, promising to share its response “as soon as possible”.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis emphasised the complexity of the issue: “No pavement user should be forced into walking or wheeling into the road because of someone parking inconsiderately,” he said.

“But on narrow streets, drivers sometimes park partly on the kerb to let traffic through. A blanket ban could cause its own problems unless councils have some flexibility.” 

Councils and disability groups such as Guide Dogs and Sustrans have highlighted the negative impact of pavement parking for wheelchair users, parents with prams, and visually impaired people.

Growing momentum

MPs are pushing for change in Parliament. Liberal Democrat MP Helen Maguire has secured a Westminster Hall debate, and Labour MP Marsha De Cordova has introduced a Private Member’s Bill aiming to strengthen laws on footway and verge parking.

Transport Committee Chair Ruth Cadbury also addressed the issue in a recent Commons debate, reaffirming the committee’s longstanding call for a nationwide default ban with select exemptions and greater local enforcement powers.

As public frustration mounts—driven by daily pedestrian risks and local struggles, momentum is building for a fundamental policy shift in England.

Whether this takes the form of a general legal ban or a streamlined enforcement model for councils remains to be seen.

However, most agree: action on pavement parking can’t wait any longer.