Calls for England to copy Scotland's pavement parking ban

When you're on your way to school, do you ever have to step into the road to get past cars parked on pavements?

A new report by the Local Government Association (LGA), which works with local councils, says it's a particular problem for wheelchair users and parents with prams.

Scotland became the first country in the UK to make pavement parking illegal and the LGA now wants England to do the same.

Do you think cars should be banned from parking on the pavement? Let us know in the comments below.

The study says that banning pavement parking would make streets safer.

Often, if a car is parked too far on to a pavement, people can't use the path safely and might be forced to walk into the road or change their route.

However, some people argue that it can be necessary sometimes, for example, to make sure there is enough space in the road for emergency vehicles, buses and bin lorries.

The Scottish government passed a law giving local councils the power to ban pavement parking in 2021, but it only started coming into effect in December 2023.

City of Edinburgh Council was the first in Scotland to implement the new powers and by February, more than 200 drivers had been fined.

London is currently the only area in England where pavement parking is banned.

Areas where pavement parking is allowed in London have this sign

The government says it has consulted with local councils in England - who are responsible for things like roads, schools and park - on how to take action, but no decisions have been made yet.

The Local Government Association said despite the changes in London, councils elsewhere "still don't have the powers they need" to tackle the problem.

They added: "Repairing kerbs and pavements damaged by pavement parking is also expensive and this funding could be better used to resurface our roads and pavements, support local buses and provide more suitable parking."