Overview
- The Department for Transport confirmed councils can introduce wider, area-based restrictions on pavement parking and enforce unnecessary obstruction.
- Ministers said guidance for applying the new powers will be issued later this year.
- Campaign groups including Guide Dogs welcomed the change, citing risks to wheelchair users and people with sight loss, and CEO Andrew Lennox offered to work with councils on swift rollout.
- Councillors raised concerns about enforcement capacity, funding and unclear responsibilities, warning of inconsistent rules between areas.
- Worcester City Council said it has no further details yet, while Bolton North East MP Kirith Entwistle backed local discretion in narrow-street neighbourhoods.