Safer Streets – protecting pedestrians Dr Rachel Lee Policy and Research Coordinator

Established in 1929 Early successes: the first speed limits, driving tests, driving licence and zebra crossings Living Streets launched 2001, 10 point manifesto, Walk to School takes off

I’ll be talking about… What pedestrians need Impacts of pavement parking The legal framework What’s not happening Solutions

Safe pedestrians need… Three things: 1.Footways free from obstructions and damage 2.Sightlines (for pedestrians and vehicles) free from obstruction for safety at junctions or when crossing the road 3.Free access to the kerbside to get on and off buses

“54% of drivers admit to parking on the pavement, 17% once a week or more.” Guide Dogs, 2013

What’s all the fuss about? Parking on pavements is a major concern for our supporters and the public In a 2011 YouGov survey for Living Streets: 11% of respondents commented that pavements free of parked cars would make the biggest positive difference to their everyday life Cars parked on the pavement biggest issue (41%) when asked about street clutter

Impacts of pavement parking Pavement parking can inhibit the independence of many vulnerable people and be particularly dangerous for older people, for families with pushchairs and for those with visual or mobility impairments Cars and other vehicles on the footway can force pedestrians into the road and into danger Pavements are not designed to carry the weight of cars and get damaged

Maintenance costs (Scotland)

The legal framework Driving on pavements is illegal, but in most places parking on pavements is legal Pavement parking is banned throughout the 32 London boroughs and the City of London under the Greater London (General Purposes) Act 1974 Exemptions are made on a street by street basis Banned outside London in Exeter and Worcester (in England) through various legislative vehicles

Legal framework continued Traffic Management Act (2004) decriminalised parking and prohibits double parking and parking on dropped kerbs Local authorities can use the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to restrict or prohibit pavement parking on individual streets by the making of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) But system is flawed…..

Recognising the problem “The Government must grip the problem of pavement parking once and for all and ensure that it is outlawed throughout the country… rather than relying on the use of individual Traffic Regulation Orders on specific streets and local Acts to impose a ban.” Transport Select Committee (2006)

Is only the first step… “we recognise that that parking restrictions should reflect local circumstance’. However, in areas such as pavement parking, where there is a confusing patchwork approach across the country, local authorities must ensure that they communicate clearly to motorists. The needs of pedestrians must be considered alongside other road users” Transport Select Committee (2014)

DfT Review of LA parking We don’t support the ban of CCTV because it’s needed to prosecute inconsiderate parking around schools and in bus lanes Consultation must consider impact of inconsiderate parking and options including national ban on footway parking We support the LGA’s offer to convene a working group to rewrite the current parking guidance to suit all parties

Appetite for a ban 600 people took part in our Pavement Parking campaign in 2013 “seven out of 10 people want restrictions for the rest of the country - and eight out of 10 councillors would back a new law”. Guide Dogs, 2014

Moving forward in Scotland Living Streets Scotland is leading the campaign for the Responsible Parking (Scotland) Bill It is making its way through the Scottish Parliament with cross party support from 58 MSPs For more information contact

Moving forward in England We put forward a Private Members Bill in 2013 calling for a national ban on pavement parking, and will do the same again this year Support from: Age UK, British Parking Association, Civic Voice, Design Council/Cabe, The GlassHouse Community Led Design, Guide Dogs, Keep Britain Tidy, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Living Streets and RNIB

Do contact us if you’d like us to find out more Thank you!