Move to ban footpath parking in UK

Photo: livingstreets.org.uk

Motorists in the UK may be looking at £70 fines for parking on footpaths, writes Brian Byrne.

The Department of Transport there is considering the move as part of a campaign to leave pavements clear for pedestrians.

Currently, the British Highway Code expressly forbids parking 'partially or wholly' on footpaths in London, but there is no legislation against it elsewhere in the UK.

However, if a motorist does park on the footpath in areas outside London, 'it must not cause an obstruction', according to the Highway Code.

In Ireland, it is prohibited to park 'on a footway, a grass margin or a median strip', according to the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997.

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