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Pavement Parking
07 March 2024
Lead MP
Liz Twist
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
Mental HealthLocal Government
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Liz Twist raised concerns about pavement parking in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Liz Twist, the Labour MP for Blaydon and Consett, expressed her frustration at the ongoing issue of pavement parking. She noted that since her first debate on this topic in June 2018, there have been promises but no concrete action from the Government. Liz highlighted the impact of pavement parking on pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities, citing Guide Dogs' research which found that virtually all people with sight loss are forced to walk in the road due to parked vehicles. She shared a personal story about her constituents Margaret and Laurel, visually impaired individuals who struggle daily with blocked pavements, leading to fear and social isolation. Liz called for urgent action from the Government, including publishing the consultation response and introducing legislation.
Guy Opperman
Con
Hexham
The MP acknowledged the importance of the issue raised by Liz Twist and recognised that successive governments have not implemented a nationwide ban on pavement parking. He emphasised the need to consider different environments across the country, especially in rural areas.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and recognised the significant number of responses received during the consultation. He outlined several measures currently under consideration: reforming the Traffic Regulation Order process to make it quicker and cheaper, allowing local authorities to enforce against unnecessary obstruction of pavements through civil enforcement officers, and considering a nationwide prohibition on pavement parking with exemptions for rural areas where necessary. The Minister highlighted the importance of personal responsibility in addressing this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.