Mike Zeller

Disabled residents in North East England and Cumbria say pavement parking makes travel unsafe and stressful, often forcing them into the road. Policies vary across local councils, but enforcement currently lies with police. The Department for Transport plans to give councils stronger powers to address dangerous and obstructive pavement parking. Local Government Association representatives say councils must balance the needs of all road users, particularly on narrow streets where some pavement parking is needed for emergency access. Wheelchair users and visually impaired individuals describe frequent obstacles, blocked kerbs, safety risks and increased anxiety when navigating public spaces.