Rebecca Paul, Member of Parliament for Reigate, has today hosted a parliamentary roundtable calling for stronger action to tackle pavement parking and improve street access for everyone, from disabled people to pensioners and parents with pushchairs.
The discussion, hosted in partnership with the Disability Policy Centre and National Centre for Accessible Transport, follows new research highlighting how blocked pavements and poor street access are affecting communities across the UK.
Rebecca Paul MP said:
“Over the last few years, as a councillor and as an MP, I’ve heard from countless residents across Reigate, Redhill, Banstead and our villages about how pavement parking makes life harder for everyone, particularly wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, and parents with pushchairs. Nobody should have to step into the road just to get by.”
“We need practical, balanced solutions that give local authorities the power to take action where pavement parking causes real problems, while recognising that on some narrow roads limited pavement parking is necessary to keep traffic flowing.”
“I want to see a fairer, clearer system that empowers councils to enforce against ‘unnecessary obstruction’ of pavements, keeping our streets safe and accessible for everyone, without creating unnecessary bureaucracy or blanket bans that don’t reflect local realities.”
Rebecca also emphasised the importance of improving accessibility for all:
“This is not just about disabled access, it’s about ensuring that everyone, from pensioners to parents with pushchairs, can move around their communities safely and confidently.”
The roundtable, which brought together MPs, campaigners, and accessibility experts, explored policy solutions for both local and national government.
