Bristolians ‘overwhelmingly in favour’ of potential ban on pavement parking

Bristolians are overwhelmingly in favour of potential government plans to ban motorists from parking on the pavement.

According to a study by used car dealership group Big Motoring World, more than three-quarters of (78%) Bristol locals agree that this should be made illegal.

Pavement parking has been banned in London since 1974, and several other city councils across the UK have been pushing for the power to introduce new rules and fines for this in their areas too.

The Department for Transport has reportedly been drawing up plans to tackle pavement parking across the UK, with an outright ban one of the options under consideration.

In 2023 The Green Party called for the city of Bristol to follow London and impose a total ban on this driving behaviour.

It launched a petition asking the council to look at the matter urgently. At this time it has around 1,500 signatures.

The city council has previously advised it has only "limited powers to take action" though.

While pavement parking bans aren’t active in many UK cities yet, The Highway Code does remind motorists on what they should and shouldn’t be doing.

Rule 244 states that you SHOULD NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement unless signs permit it.

It goes on to advise that ‘Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.’

Rule 242 also states you ‘MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.’

And Rule 243 also advises drives NOT TO stop or park…

• near a school entrance
• anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
• at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
• opposite or within 10 metres of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
• opposite another parked vehicle if this would cause an obstruction)
• where the kerb has been lowered
• in front of an entrance to a property

In Bristol, parking fines vary depending on the type of violation. However, the cost is usually between £50 and £70.

Despite many locals being in favour of the idea, over half of Bristol motorists (62%) surveyed said they were unaware of the potential upcoming ban on parking the pavement.

Ian Hajyzamanali, Head of Marketing, at Big Motoring World added: “Pavement parking is a topic that is sure to divide opinion.

“Pedestrians are often frustrated at their path being blocked by cars, but many motorists who have no choice but to park on narrow roads (and do not have access to a driveway) will be scratching their heads and wondering what they are supposed to do.

“The fact that most people have not heard about any proposed plans for a pavement parking ban clearly showcases that information needs to be more widely communicated to motorists so that they can plan accordingly.”