North Yorkshire Mayor hails new powers for councils to fine 'pavement parkers' across county
The problems of ‘pavement parking’ in Harrogate is in the spotlight as the Government prepares to give local authorities new powers to clamp down on it.
Pavement parking is currently banned outright in London and Scotland, with councils elsewhere in England able to introduce restrictions for specific streets.
The Government says wider enforcement powers will make it easier for local authorities to tackle the worst examples of disruptive parking.
Welcoming the announcement, The Labour Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith met with a local charity that supports visually impaired people to hear about the challenges they face in Harrogate.
They met in the Claro Road area and soon found examples where cars had been left on the pavement, leaving little room for people to get past.
“Pavement parking makes it harder for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities to get around, “ said the Mayor, who is from Harrogate.
"Children walking to school, parents with pushchairs and people with disabilities are being forced into the road by vehicles blocking pavements.
“Outside of London, councils have been powerless to do anything about it – until now.”
The rule changes follow a public consultation on the current system, where action can only be taken after a complex and lengthy process that only applies to individual streets.
The transport department now plans to give councils wider, new powers to issue fines to those who cause "unnecessary obstruction" when parking on the pavement.
The definition of what constitutes "unnecessary obstruction" will be at the discretion of council enforcement officers.
The new powers are due to take effect later this year, alongside guidance on how the rules can be enforced in a "proportionate" way.
Tanya Stimpson, director at Vision Support Harrogate district, today welcomed the changes as a “major shift” towards being more “inclusive.”
She said: "We are delighted that the needs of people with sight loss are finally being recognised by our government.
“The law will ensure that pathways remain clear allowing people with sight loss to complete journeys safely, to work, shops, or social events without life-threatening interruptions."