Campaigners ‘optimistic’ about parking ban after meeting with Rishi Sunak

Pavement parking: Blind man reveals the dangers

A new parking ban has moved a step closer to reality with campaigners admitting they are “optimistic” about future changes.

Guide Dogs, who are behind an online Parliament Petition demanding pavement parking be axed, have admitted they had held meetings with Rishi Sunak over a possible law change.

The Government ran a consultation on pavement parking in 2020 with a national ban among the proposals.

However, officials have yet to issue an official response on the issue despite a London-wide prohibition already in place.

Julie Pilsworth, now understood to be a guide dog owner from Grimsby, forced an update from officials after an online poll secured over 10,000 responses.

READ MORE Should drivers be fined for pavement parking – vote in our poll

In a statement sent exclusively to Express.co.uk, Guide Dogs chiefs warned pavement parking was “potentially dangerous”.

They said: “Over 12,700 people have now signed our petition calling for the government to bring in a new law on pavement parking to keep pavements clear for everyone.

“Whilst we still have a way to go, after a positive conversation with the Prime Minister, we are feeling optimistic about the possibility of action being taken which would improve the lives of millions of people for the better.

“Pavement parking is a nuisance for everyone, but potentially dangerous for wheelchair users, parents with buggies or those living with sight loss who are forced to step into the busy road.

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“And we know cars blocking pavements causes those living with sight loss to feel less confident about leaving the house. This daily threat can mean people can’t get safely to work, education, attend vital medical appointments or see friends.”

Responding to the consultation, the Department for Transport failed to rule out a possible ban in a revealing update.

Instead, the Government warned they were “carefully considering” the issues before deciding a way forward.

They insisted that a pavement parking ban was “complex” but was still a “highly important issue” clearly on their list.

The consultation made clear that a national ban would be one of the biggest overhauls to parking rules in decades.

They stressed the scheme would need a “significant implementation period” with the project likely to be expensive and time-consuming.

However, they admitted a national scheme would establish a “general rule” to avoid confusion among road users.

Guide Dogs added: “Reaching this number of signatures sends a clear message from the public we need to see change.

“We welcomed the Government’s recognition of the problem when they consulted on options to tackle this in 2020; now is the time to make good on their promise of action and give local councils the powers to tackle problem pavement parking in their areas.”

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