Pavement parking - More drivers handed fines ahead of nationwide £70 charge

Last week it was announced that proposals to issue a nationwide pavement parking ban was underway.

Under the new regulations drivers caught parking on the pavement would face a fine of £70.

This echoes the legislation that has been in place in London since 1974.

Transport Secretary Jesse Norman said that “the department [DfT] is now undertaking a broader piece of work to gather evidence on the issue of pavement parking.

“We expect to be able to draw conclusions later this year,” he added. 

Up until this point police forces have been able to issue fines at their own discretion.

Local authorities and the police have the power to legally remove a vehicle which is causing an obstruction.

Under rule 242 of the Highway Coe it says: ”You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.

Section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 echoes this stating: “If a person in charge of a vehicle causes or permits the vehicle or a trailer drawn by it to remain at rest on a road in such a position or in such condition or in such circumstances as to [involve a danger of injury] to other persons using the road, he is guilty of an offence.”

Ahead of the announcement that nationwide ban of pavement parking was being considered a number of police forces in Britain have been responding to complaints from residents about selfish parkers.

GMP Traffic has sent out a number of patrols over the past few months to clampdown on offences and send a warning to drivers.

The latest occurred last week where the team handed fines to eight separate motorists in Hulme.

It tweeted: “Last week our #TrafficPCSO went down to Hulme after further complaints about pavement parking.

“By obstructing the footpath you’re forcing the vulnerable into the road.

“8 TOR’s were issued in total. #PavementParking”