Motorists now face having their car towed away if it is parked on the pavement in a crackdown on this driving offence by police. Any vehicle which has been parked on a pavement in a way that causes an obstruction is at risk of being removed due to it being potentially dangerous for pedestrians, pushchairs, mobility scooters, and the visually impaired.
This warning has originated from police officers in Oldham who have flagged that motorists parking on the pavement in one area, in particular, is forcing people into a hectic road. Those found to be leaving their cars where they create an obstruction will receive a ticket first, and then their vehicle will be towed away if the car is not removed or they park there again.
Parking issues in Oldham
A stern warning has been sent to motorists by Oldham police as they have found that cars being parked on the footpaths just below Greenfield Station on Shaw Hill Bank Road have been obstructing the walkway, which has both caused excessive traffic and meant that people have had to walk in the road to get around them. It seems that drivers are parking here and then catching the train to work for the last leg of their journey and parking here to avoid paying to park in the rail car park.
Cars parked here will now receive a fixed penalty notice and face being towed, which will cost the offending motorist a £70 parking fine and £250 to recover a towed vehicle from the police.
But Oldham isn’t the only place in the country with the same issue. All over the UK drivers are resorting to parking on pavements to avoid paying to park in the proper areas that may also be further away.
Wider concerns about vehicles obstructing pavements
The main concern of parking on or across pavements is that it can cause an obstruction which means that those using mobility scooters or wheelchairs, or individuals who are visually impaired, could be trapped on the pavement and forced to move around the vehicle and into the road.
This has resulted in a spokesperson from the charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind suggesting that the Government should make parking on the pavement a clear offence as it can be hazardous for those who rely on the pavements to travel safely and without risk.
A study by Co-Op Insurance last year revealed that that 39% of British drivers are guilty of parking on pavements and 17% have done this because they have seen others do so. In addition to this, almost three-quarters of those in the study said that parking on the pavement often offers the best or most suitable option as they have limited places to park, especially when they have multiple cars per household.
Pavement parking law confusion
Laws around parking on pavements in the UK seems to confuse motorists as the Highway Code states that it is only London where people definitely cannot park on pavements, whereas in the rest of the country this offence is dealt with on a case by case basis.
Rule 244 of the Highway Code says that drivers “must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it”, which means that you could be punished at the discretion of the police. There is no obligation for police to issue you with a fine.
To add further confusion, it has been illegal to drive on the pavement in the UK since 1883, which anyone parking on the pavement would have to do to leave their drive if there is a pavement in front of it as many houses have converted their front gardens into car parks for their home
If you are caught parking on the pavement you can be fined £70, and the maximum fee for causing a significant obstruction is £1000, although there are no figures on how likely it is that this fee would be enforced. We could not find any record of anyone receiving a fine for obstruction by parking on the pavement.
Our advice is to plan well ahead and try to avoid parking on pavements. Use handy services like Just Park, that enables you to pay a low fee to park on someone else’s drive quickly and easily.
What do you think about parking on the pavement? Are there any situations in which you think that parking on the pavement is a suitable option? Let us know in the comments below.
With so many families now having more than one vehicle there. Has been a large increase in parking on pavements. Shoppers or school trips also add to this issue. I never thought of it as a problem except so many mobility scooters are now struggling to use the pavements. However, the alternative will be double parking on roads and this has now become a big issue. My annoyance is so many have driveways and garages but still park on pavements and the road. Time to get tough.
In many parts of Australia you are not allowed to park on the road at any time if you have a driveway. This means that the roads are a joy to drive on.
Problem here in Britain Brenda, the government see the UK motorist as a panacea of all ills thats why they are continually finding new ways to tax us.
Should be in the UK, Emergency vehicles need the road for access and working. Ought to have gaps with no parking along all roads, enough to park an emergency vehicle in.
Parking on pavements is endemic. If I was a police commissioner I would prioritise this as a potentially massive money earner.
Generally speaking, I would like to see an end to pavement parking, strictly enforced by fines and, if necessary, vehicles being towed away. I am fortunate in having car parking spaces on the front of my property and some extra parking available on the road outside my house. However just because others do not have this, does not entitle them to use the pavement (if I wanted to swim at home, I would have to buy a house with a swimming pool, and if I couldn’t afford one, I would have to go without!). New housing developments are a problem as they are increasingly being built with insufficient parking and narrow roads, which results in the pavements basically becoming car parks (I’m astonished to see new houses being built near me, with four double bedrooms, multiple bathrooms and only a single garage plus one car parking space). The other big problem is in areas of older housing stock – e.g. Victorian terraces. In these areas I still think it’s essential that pavement users are kept safe… but where should the cars go? Is nearby land available for car parking? Maybe business car parks which are unused outside business hours? As I said earlier, parking outside or even near to one’s house is not a right. Residents parking zones may be able to help in many areas too.
You have hit the nail on the head. The answer would be having wider roads which would allow cars to park legally both sides especially when its outside their homes. Why then our these four bedroom homes being constantly built knowing full well they would not have enough parking spaces?
Only answer is money. Builders don’t build to give a usable environment for homeowners, they do it for maximum profit. Planning rules need to change so that the new estates are built with adequate parking, wide roads, pavements (which seem to have been abolished on most estates lately), etc.
World Health Organisation insists new housing developments promote healthier options than promoting car users. So roads are smaller and parking spaces are fewer. Why do we need cars to get the kids to school when we can all walk, take a bus or cycle. Why do 10 cars in one street be used to take the kids to the same school.
I agree with you Natalie about walking, cycling and car-sharing. But unless people give up their cars altogether, they still need to be parked somewhere!
Cycling wouldn’t change a lot , now people think it’s a given right to cycle on the pavement regardlesss of any pedestrian and unless its stopped it will only esculate like parking on pavements what i think is required as mentioned adequate parking facilities made and police and traffic wardens making sure the rules are obeyed not enough enforcement i have even seen persons driving on the pavements if things are not nipped in the bud problems will grow.
Labour’s Prescott stated that the planning rules need to have enough parking for development. London does not need that many cars. Better transport planning and subsidy for taking the school run traffic off the road. When you loose the Car and see the amount saved on Insurance, Road tax and fuel. You can use a cab for your return shopping trip and be quids in.
The reason is that the developers who build the houses do not need to provide plenty of parking if there is a nearby bus route, in fact the developers subsidise the busses while they are building, just to ensure that the bus route remains.
If you were to build a house yourself, you would have to provide as many parking spaces as you have bedrooms.
It isn’t the developers’ fault. Many local councils restrict the amount of both on-street and off-street parking in new developments..
I live on a very quiet residential road where every house has a drive that will accommodate one, or in many cases two cars in addition to a garage. The road is wide enough for cars to park fully on the road and for a fire engine or ambulace to pass with ease. BUT most houses have a car parked on the road outside and everyone parks with two wheels on the pavement. Why? Because they feel there is a risk of their car being damaged by cars passing too close! If people parked fully on the road, then cars passing would slow down and the whole place would be safer for all. Or even better – use your drive!
I am a wheelchair user and I am constantly having to risk my life going in the road as most have no consideration at all as it is more of a habit than they have to park half on and off. I have herd so many excuses like, I might get my car bumped. Well that is tuff and why we all pay insurance. Most don’t understand that if their vehicle is scratched by a wheelchair or peak/pushchair there is nothing that can be done about it. Some streets are so big that 2 HGVS can park opposite and still these idiots park on the footpath. A lot is down to pure idleness as they cannot walk. They have no consideration at all for pedestrians. I see some that block the whole pavement so bad they cannot even get out of the damn vehicle. FOOTPATHS ARE FOR PEDESTRIANS NOT VEHICLES how would they like it if I was to use my wheelchair in the road?
I agree with every word. I am also a wheelchair user and sick of having to onto the road because of lazy people who can actually walk
Well said, Sandra. The human race will soon morph into legless creatures, as the average motorist is just a lazy bugger, not prepared to park sensibly, and walk a short distance. Pavement parking is caused by extreme laziness in most circumstances. The younger motorists are the worst culprits.
It is about time the law was enacted by all councils & police forces in regard to this. I am fed up of walking around cars parked on the pavement & grass in the county of Wiltshire. It nice to see someone has the sense to enforce the footpath & parking laws which have sadly been ignored for years
The laws are already there just the police are either too lazy or corrupt to use them.
Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835
Come on Paul – get real! If you only knew how busy the ‘thin blue line is.’
Its about time the government had one set of rules that everyone must obey there is to much comtradiction in the laws either you can park on the pavement or you cant the obvious answer would be you cant as you cant mount the pavement without driving on it , but you cant have the highway code saying one thing and the law saying another and all rules must be enforced to the fullest by the authorities , if a pavement is to be made into somewhere to park make it one side of the road and dont call it a pavement call it a parking space and mark it (paint it) acordingly.
At last someone is taking action, very long overdue. Have driven for 70 years and understand car users and pedestrians needs. We must find an answer or it can only get worse
Towing the cars away is far too drastic and draconian.
If they have already been warned and fined they deserve it!
Yes agree time to get tough. I walk on the road now where I live. It stops drivers in Their tracks. I explain why and point to the inconsiderate parking that blocks pavements and ask how I can avoid walking in their way if cars park in my way. Then I let the car pass and walk along the road. Til the next car comes along. They would not dare run a pedestrian over and the frustrating thing is the cars all have garages, or spaces a short walk away where they could park. Their choice to completely and I mean completely block the pavement. I’m too old to climb over cars but if I could I would.
Parking on the pavement is just wrong and shouldn’t be allowed full stop. My road has persistent pavement parkers and not only is it difficult for pedestrians but when they park on the pavement opposite your home it makes access difficult too. A quick pick up is fine, say 30 mins allowance but otherwise The law should be NO PAVEMENT PARKING!!!!
30 mins for a quick ‘pick up’. Sorry wrong sort of pick up.
Part of the problem is that these days cars are far to large for some roads if parking on pavements was outlawed it would make it impossible for emergency vehicles to get through on these roads ban parking on pavement on one side only would help
Not only that but developers are building houses on estates and making the roads that narrow that cars can hardly get past one another so to prevent getting damaged people park on the pavement, this is something that needs to go back to the people who let this happen in the first place the planning authority of the councils, they need to start looking at the bigger picture and stop rubbing their hands together at the thought of collecting more tax
It’s got nothing to do with TAX. So if I was in front of you in my wheelchair on the road would you slow down and agree to me being in the road. I don’t think so somehow. It’s about time payment Parker’s had some respect for those that CANNOT WALK LIKE ME and Blind people
Then its very simple, don’t park on that road.
It’s very frustrating where I live. When taking the little one out in the buggy, quite often we are forced onto the road because there are cars parked fully on the pavement. What’s even more frustrating is that there is plenty of parking space and no need to park on the pavement, if people weren’t too lazy to walk 30 seconds!
Not before time. The problems caused by inconsiderate and selfish drivers are growing year on year and without regular enforcement will continue to do so. A great initiative by the Oldham Police, let’s hope other forces now do the same.
Pavements are not designed to accommodate the weight of road vehicles. In my area pavements have been damaged by cars & lorries parking for brief periods. This means that water collects on the pavements, making them hazardous in very cold weather even when there are no cars parked.
Don’t agree with this at all. In my street if cars weren’t allowed to park on the pavement you wouldn’t be able to get more than one car on the road parked
up without blocking it entirely. I have a drive and use it for my two cars but if a visitor comes they have to park on the pavement. Pedestrians can still walk past as can buggy. A common sense approach needed. Roads are too narrow to accommodate parking fully on the road!
The police need to tow all the wheelie bins away. Wheel chair users can’t navigate them when the pavement I’d narrow.
It should be rolled out nationwide, however that said, the government should also bring in legislation to the developers making it law that with any house building they, the developers must provide a sensible sized garage or off road parking port for the property. Developers deliberately build small garages just to get another house on the land.My son has garage but you would be lucky to get a skateboard in it it is so small.
I suspect that your son would be wise to get a smaller skateboard
Can be simply done, by building up. Ground floor garage, first and second floor accommodation. Would also result in warmer houses.
As a car driver and a mobility scooter rider I see the problems the more land that is used for homes in the towns the less Rome for parking.we have one street that is terrible as it is one way Andy hay park on both pavements making it impossible to travel down without suffering abuse from drivers
This problem would be cured in an instant if the penalty was loss of licence.
Drink/driving was cured with hefty fines, etc & I see no difference with this pavement parking curse. I have the nightmare problem of getting an elderly neighbour in his wheelchair out into the road to pass parked vehicles, then faced with getting him back onto the pavement. I complained to one driver who told me p*** off……
There should be no parking on pavements at all and that rule should be enforced. We suffer from this where we live. Pedestrians with pushchairs are forced out into a busy road.
Although in principal having several members ofm my family registered blind I agree with the footpaths left clear, we also have to think of multiple cars being parked fully on the road, as we need to think also of access for emergency vehicles. We also need those to get through, so we really do need some common sense to be used. If people must not park or there is only space to park correctly on one side of the road, then mark the roads with yellow lines, I know we all hate those but at least we know we are not allowed.
Parking on the pavement in Sunderland as got to be worst in the Country especially on the Hylton Castle Estate SR5 area it has been reported to police but they are not interested pedestrians still have to walk on the Road Nissan worker’s are partly to blame Rather park in Hylton Castle than use the works car park
If the 17% who park on the footpath do so because they see others do it, would they stand in the path of an oncoming train because they saw some-one else do it? Drivers get real and obey the law of the Highways Act.
In Huddersfield many residential roads that have a regular bus service are simply not wide enough to allow parked cars outside houses on the road without blocking the road for buses or other large vehicles. We have a mobility car and are forced to park 2 wheels on the road to avoid repeated damage to the car as buses & wagons have repeatedly knocked the mirrors off or badly scratched the side of the car. A bus stop is opposite our house and this blocks the road unless our car is partly on the pavement.Over 3000 vehicles a day pass our home.
I agree it is a real problem and needs sorting.
However on my school run the small lane outside the school is very narrow and there is not enough room for Emergency Services to pass if cars parking on both sides of the road are not partially on the pavement. Banning pavement parking one side of the road could help.
Ah ha. Knew I’d find it, the more I read. A school runner complaining about inconsiderate road use by OTHER school runners marvellous. Walking to school might be an idea?
Alan, if we could walk to school we would, but as grandparents our school run is 20 miles from our house, we don’t do it every day just when grandson stays overnight in the week.
Rather a long way to walk?
I was NOT complaining about other school runners, just explaining the dilemma.
Wnen I learnt to drive overseas, parking on both sides of the road was illegal even with roads that are wider than the UK average.
Absolutely fine; when all murders, rapes, other assaults, burglaries and other serious crimes have been solved, let the police carry out their fund raising exercises.
In fact, following London, many councils want to be allowed to take over dishing out the fines, which will then go to them. If they hit our avenue at say 7-0pm, they would make well over a £1000 for an hours work. Do that around our area for ten hours, £10000 Do that every day for a year, and they would solve their budget shortfall. We have a school around the corner, and at pick up time, they park one on each side of the road, then one on each pavement.
Illegal parking fines could fund more police. It ain’t difficult to do
I wish my local police would crack down on it
I live near a large football ground and every match day no parking cones are put out along the main road well fans still park just with all 4 wheels on the path. This completely blocks the path and 1000s of fans then walk down the middle of a inner ring road many are drunk and refuse to move for cars. In one case cars also parked on the chevrons in the middle of the road meaning busses couldn’t get through and brought the city to a stand still
Anyway residents have complained constantly to the police about the parking only to be told once their completely on the path it’s the council’s job to issue parking fines. The council then say it’s completely the polices job full stop. The annoying thing about this is I know of fans who live less then a mile away yet still drive and end up parking 1/2 a mile from the ground when they could easily walk from hom
Is it April fools day ? Have lost count of the number of police cars parked partly on pavement in our area can only assume it applies elsewhere ?
We live in a narrow Cul-de-sac, and the stupid woman only parks her vehicle on a Wednesday night, thus making it impossible for the bin wagon to get down. She ha even taken to putting up a sign saying that the pavement outside her house is her private property. The bin men asked her to move, only to be told to walk down and collect the bins.
Pavements are not her private property . She didn’t buy it , what if someone tripped on a flag stone , would she be prepared to be sued and pay out the victim
Wish this was happening where I live. Not only do cars park on pavements but the Highways are encouraging parking directly opposite a T junction. Villages whose roads were designed for horse and cart now have Double Decker busses on them and it’s chaos when a bus meets a tractor with trailer coming the opposite direction. Planners are allowing the conversion of garages and driveways to dwelling extensions. The family of 4 opposite me have parking space for 2 cars but as the son’s hobby is buying and selling cars they have up to 6 cars to park.
As mentioned below, people are mostly lazy and cant be bothered to look for or travel to a parking space. Where I live there is a car park 200m away and always spaces but people still park on the pavements as they are too damn lazy to walk 200m. Every police force in the country should be fining these inconsiderate offenders.
Drivers are now parking near the tram station where I live due to lack of spaces and they need to get to work. I have been onto the council stating how dangerous the road now is. Their answer was “3 people have to injured where the inconsiderate parking is, before anything can be done”. Not a very helpful answer!
Have numerous pictures on my mobile which feature Police vans parked on the pavement outside a certain police station. I have approached the police concerned as I know some sixth formers were fined for parking on pavements. I asked if there was one rule for all and whether they
d be lenient on others who sometimes parked on pavements. Its too bad seeing police doing what they tell us not to do, however, as a mother, I want to be able to ensure pushchairs can pass easily on pavements without obstruction. The police concerned told me that there was no room available in their police yard at the time.The vans were always wholly on the pavement! Sometimes there isnt a problem when cars are on the edge of the pavements...common sense should prevail. If its a real problem in an area and causing stress to people..THEN do something about that particular pavement.No towing away..thats draconian and for all those against parking on pavements...some will have done so,,when it was convenient for them..which was the point I was making to the police...(and have tried to edit the grammar mistakes in this post but site isnt allowing!!)To add to this we live in hull and the close where we live is like this twice a day due to school entrance being in the close they even park in private garage entrances which says, NO PARKING. We have had meeting with the council and teaching staff to resolve this problem but to no avail due to not upsetting the mum’s and dads whilst picking children up, what they don’t understand is we as residents are trying to protect their children and other pedestrians from mindless motorists who don’t seem to care. I have quoted the rule 244 to councillors and teaching staff but nothing is done we have said it’s going to take a serious incident to make them do something positive but we are still waiting.
Crunch time approaching. Drivers park on the pavement to save parking fees and to avoid damage from passing vehicles on narrow roads not built to cater for volume of traffic. Beyond dispute that there too many cars on the road. Fast multilane motorways all well and good but when vehicles leave the motorway?
I live in a cul de sac with a very narrow road if cars didn’t park on the pavement no other cars could get by. I have put a drive in my garden at great expense so I don’t pavement park , not everyone can do this as the bungalows are in rows off the road I am on the end so I’m the only one on my row that can have off road parking .
The footpaths are provided for pedestrians and the roadway for vehicles, including cyclists. Drivers would soon complain and the police rapidly react if pedestrians decided t sit in the roadway. If there is nowhere on the roadway to park then drive on until you find a place and then walk back. If you buy a car make sure you have a proper place to park it – the roadway is for driving and the pavement for walking and should not be regarded as a taxpayer funded free car park.
It always has been an offence to park on the pavement. Having a law is one thing but enforcing it is another.
Drivers are exceptionally selfish. Driving around with a livingroom on wheels. We just don’t have that space on these roads! & owning a garage these days you can just about get the original mini in it.
I support the police on this. Roll it out nationwide. & soon.
I have seen a whole street go to off road parking when permits were introduced a few streets over. Not a single car parked on the road, all on their drives! It can & should be enforced.
The Police have the power to remove vehicles causing an obstruction. End of story. We used this power 30years ago in Scotland and it was effective. Footpaths are for pedestrians safety.
Moved them all to Glasgow?
In many older residential areas, houses were built before even small cars were invented. The advent of multi-car families with nowhere to park, along with the cars being wider than before has made the situation worse.
While agreeing that in several instances laziness, saving a few pounds, and general disregard for others are serious issues in themselves, HGV’s (sometimes with a trailer) have difficulty finding a passage in some areas (including where I live) and would have no chance of getting through if vehicles did NOT park partially on the pavement to avoid damage to mirrors and the wings of the car.
Banning all vehicles over 3T would be ideal – but unfortunately totally impractical. Should all cars be banned from residential areas to accommodate HGVs just because of a selfish few motorists that in many cases do not live in the locality?
About time, trying to get a buggy along pavements is a nightmare, and even worse on rubbish collection day. Every road should have a car park to accommodate the cars of the people who live in that road.
There are too many vehicles on the roads and what is required is massive investment in good, comfotable and reliable public transport.
This could reduce congestion and pollution.
It will be interesting to see what the police do about police vehicles that park on the pavement!!
But of course they are ‘always’ on duty so that don’t count.
Legally they have to be attending and emergency ie blue lights to be exempt.
Exactly. Which is why its very annoying when the law is flouted like this.
I live in Poole, Dorset and the problem is really bad. I am disabled using a mobility scooter, which is a 4 mph scooter. At the end of our road there is a car parked there all the time right at the end of the junction. I have to go round it which is frightening. Another road has cars parked facing the wrong way at night and most parked on the pavement all day, impossible to get around. There is a school just off this road who teach cycling profficientcy on this road which is extremely dangers i have reported this road to the police as it in breach of the highway code but got a letter back telling me they are not interested and have better things to do. The highway code does not apply to Dorset Police who don’t care. The road Pottery Road, Poole is in breach of the highways in more ways than one issue.
“…and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it”, …”
I never do, but there are signs near my mother-in-law’s house that permit (or even encourage?) parking on the pavement outside certain hours (to prevent commuter parking presumably). Surely this is a bad idea, because of the obstruction issue?
Lack of parking skills, they don’t want to scuff their alloys on the kerb, so they go up and onto it.
House builders have, for years, been building housing estates with off road parking and narrowing the roads. If you have more than one or two cars, which lots of families do, you cannot park without having your vehicle on the pavement, and because the pavements are also half the width of normal ones, you can’t pass without going into the road. However, more profit for builders.
What an inconvenience to ‘have more than ONE or TWO cars’. Suppose all the garages have also been converted for more living/storage space. 90Gs worth of motors out side, two washers, a dryer and some bikes in the garage.
Blame the councils are they approved the plans. More houses = more council tax
Great idea ..as long as it is upheld!…i live in a cul de sac and therefore cars can only park on the left..but they still use the pavements , lots have driveways but prefer to clog the road..i use a mobility scooter and am ‘up and down’ the pavements so many times it is a joke!..and as for the school run …they park on the whole pavement..or block our driveways!…i never see any police ,so how are they going to ‘enforce’ this if they are never about??
five years ago i complained to West Lancs Council about cars blocking by parking on both pathways either side of the entrance to my avenue I lived constricting the roadway for one vehicle to to enter or exit the junction, the reply from the head of the council is that car owners have to park their cars somewhere, in other words he could not care less about the dangers the car owners are causing by their selfish disregard for the people who live and use the pavements in my area.
Had the same problem in Slough, outside of London but if there are no parking restrictions, yellow lines etc, you are allowed to park on the pavement if by parking on the road your car would cause an obstruction any emergency vehicle.
I think the “no obligation to issue a fine” is a cop out, rule 244, as when I asked for certain situation to be looked at ,the constable cocerned said there were more pressing issues for the police to be looking at. So the pavement concerned is still being used as parking spot!
It is a magnificent idea which should be adopted all over the country. Here in Luton it is a real problem especially in Cromwell Road where lots of cars are parked on the pavement and other cars then park alongside these, half on the pavement and half in the road over double yellows as well which means disabled persons get to go in the road to pass these obstructions.
I’d agree parking on the pavement is wrong and should be enforced, but the police simply don’t have the numbers to do so. Where I live there are many house rented to students, sometimes 6 cars to a house, and they park anywhere and everywhere, driveways, pavements, double parked.
Parking is quite tight here anyway and all the above makes it unsafe at times to approach junctions.