BBC research finds half of councils encourage pavement parking
BBC research reveals that half of councils in England encourage parking on pavements, highlighting inconsistent enforcement and potential safety concerns.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
New BBC research has found that half of councils in England actively encourage pavement parking through marked bays or signs, raising safety concerns for disabled people. The investigation, which surveyed 164 local authorities, revealed that just over half said they advise drivers to park on pavements, often using white lines to designate spaces.
Disability charities have condemned the practice, warning it makes streets harder to navigate for wheelchair users and dangerous for people with limited sight. Hannah Kitson, a wheelchair user after a horse-riding accident, described the situation as "a complete nightmare." She said: "They just haven't even thought of us. We don't exist in the perception of the council when they put things like parking spaces onto curbs."
However, some residents argue that pavement parking is a practical solution on narrow streets where off-street parking is scarce. One local said: "It all depends on the situation which road it is. Some roads are bigger, obviously we can park on both sides... but some roads like this, obviously we've got enough space."
Tackling pavement parking should become easier this autumn when councils outside London receive new powers from the government. But of the authorities currently marking bays on pavements, only five said they plan to stop. The Local Government Association said pavement parking is one of the most complained-about issues, causing disruption and blocking access for those with mobility problems. However, councils must balance the needs of all users, and on older or tightly-built streets, allowing some pavement parking may be necessary to prevent severe traffic congestion.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Half of councils in England encourage pavement parking through marked bays or signs. | |
| New government powers for English councils outside London to tackle pavement parking will come into effect this autumn. | |
| Only five councils that currently mark pavement parking bays plan to stop doing so. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on the conflict between accessibility concerns and practical parking needs. It gives voice to both disabled users who find pavement parking dangerous and residents who see it as a necessary solution. The tone is neutral but highlights the lack of change despite upcoming government powers.
Broadcast Timeline
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