No agreement over sites for pavement parking ban

It has emerged that no streets have been approved to take part in the trial so far

A trial ban on pavement parking is yet to get off the ground after it emerged that no streets have been approved to take part in it.

Last summer, Swindon Borough Council asked councillors to put forward streets in their wards to be part of the trial which would see motorists face sanctions if they parked on the pavement.

But no roads have been agreed as yet, despite six applications from councillors.

A council spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, none of the six applications we received met the criteria that was set by the Build a Better Swindon Policy and Scrutiny Committee so we were unable to progress them."

They added: "This will be explained to the councillors involved so they can resubmit their applications in due course."

The council said priority would be given to areas where there is a public concern about pavement parking.

'Incredibly disappointing'

The news emerged at a council meeting where councillor Matt Vallender, who suggested the trial, asked for an update, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said: "It was incredibly disappointing this week to see the council decide not to move forward with any of the trial locations.

"I'm staggered that there hasn't even been a conversation with me to establish the need and whether any further information is required.

"This is about the safety, convenience and free movement on pavements of disabled people, older people, people accompanying young children and other vulnerable pedestrians."