Parking cars on pavements forces blind people into the paths of traffic, says MP

A Harrow MP has warned against parking cars on pavements - as it forces blind people into the paths of traffic.

97% of blind and partially sighted people have encountered obstacles on the pavement, and nine out of 10 have had problems with pavement parked cars, according to YouGov research for the charity Guide Dogs.

Yet more than half (54%) of UK drivers admit to parking on the pavement, with more than a quarter (29%) of those doing so a few times a month or more.

Surprisingly, 55% of these drivers do think about the impact on people with sight loss, but park on the pavement anyway.

Guide Dogs is campaigning for to make pavement parking an offence, except in areas where local authorities grant specific exemptions.

This is already the case in London but elsewhere across the country councils struggle to tackle unsafe pavement parking because they can only restrict it street by street.

Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East, said: “No one should be forced to brave traffic by cars parked on the pavement.

"Here in London the system works. That’s why I’m calling on the Government to end problem pavement parking across the country.

"Blind and partially sighted people should be able to walk the streets without fear.”

Guide dog owners told Mr Blackman that parked cars and street clutter blocking the pavement force them to walk in the road, into the path of traffic they cannot see.

Some guide dog owners face these dangerous situations on a daily basis, risking their safety every time they go shopping or make the school run.

James White, senior campaigns manager at Guide Dogs, said: “Pavement parked cars and street clutter can turn the walk to work or trip to the shops into a dangerous obstacle course.

"It’s a nuisance for anyone, but if you have a visual impairment or a toddler in tow, walking in the road with moving traffic is just too big a risk.

"Our research shows that most drivers who park on the pavement know that it can be dangerous for pedestrians, but many do so regardless."

"We need clear rules so that drivers only park where it’s safe," he said.

"Back in 2015, we were encouraged when the government committed to find a solution to this problem. We hope that they will now follow up with a law to curb unsafe pavement parking."

Bob Blackman attended a Guide Dogs event at the House of Commons on Monday July 3 to show support for the campaign to keep parked cars and other obstacles off pavements.

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