Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, has welcomed a consultation on pavement parking to make pavements more accessible and safer for Gosport, Hill Head, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent residents.

Caroline, who has been regularly contacted by constituents with concerns about pavement parking on the peninsular and has attended numerous meetings with Guide Dogs UK in Parliament, knows just how dangerous car obstructions can be for those with disabilities, buggies and children. Pavement parking often partly or fully blocks the footpath, meaning that residents have to go around the cars and into the road itself.

More than 95% of wheelchair users and people with visual impairments say that they have experienced problems with cars parked on walkways.

The government has now launched a consultation for members of the public, sector representatives and stakeholders to make it easier for councils to prohibit pavement parking, introduce fines and have a potential nation-wide ban.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

“Parking on pavements means wheelchair users, visually impaired people and parents with pushchairs can be forced into the road, which is not only dangerous but discourages people from making journeys.

“A key part of our green, post-COVID recovery will be encouraging more people to choose active travel, such as walking, so it is vital that we make the nation’s pavements accessible for everyone.”

Caroline commented:

“I know that pavement parking is something that affects some of my constituents daily, putting them at risk of harm.

“This consultation is a step in the right direction towards making our walkways safe for all and I will be encouraging constituents to have their say.”