Devon to continue campaign to tackle pavement parking

Devon County Council says it will continue to pursue efforts for its parking enforcement officers to be granted more powers to deal with obstructive parking.

It comes after the House of Commons withdrew a motion for a bill to end Pavement Parking.

At today's (Thursday 10 December) Full Council meeting, Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, expressed disappointment on behalf of the County Council at the decision.

Councillor Hughes said: “It’s extremely disappointing that this opportunity has been missed. North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, who was the sponsor of the Private Members’ Bill, presented compelling evidence in favour of the bill. He cited research which shows that 70% of those who are blind have, in the past three months, collided with a car parked on a pavement, and that 32% feel less confident about going out.

“Although this particular bill has been withdrawn, the discussions will continue. The issue is important - not only could the bill assist the visually impaired, but also the disabled and parents with young children. We are heartened that the Minister of State at the Department for Transport, Robert Goodwill MP, has committed to further investigate the issue and examine evidence in the new year. Devon County Council will continue to gather evidence of the problems on its network and we will look to share this to inform discussions.”

Powers to deal with obstruction of pavements currently rest with the Police.

Devon County Council received 41 complaints of parking on pavements in Devon in September, and 27 complaints in October.