Survey highlights negative impact of pavement parking on active travel

A new study from Sustrans has found a nationwide ban on pavement parking would encourage more people to walk and wheel.

The survey collates the views of more than 24,000 people from 18 cities and areas across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Respondents were asked questions on infrastructure, travel behaviour, the impact of cycling, and new initiatives.

The latest edition of Sustran’s Walking and Cycling Index (formerly Bike Life) is the UK's biggest ever study of its kind. It highlights several barriers to increased uptake and concludes that banning pavement parking would help 70% of all residents to walk or wheel more.

Pavement parking is currently prohibited in London. The UK government is now considering extending this across England. The Scottish government is set to introduce a ban on pavement parking in 2023.

The index also shows that just 56% of disabled people and 55% of residents on low incomes feel welcome when walking and wheeling in their neighbourhood. This compares to 69% of non-disabled people, and 74% of those in managerial or professional roles.

And only 52% of people said it was safe for children to walk in their local area.

However people walk or wheel more frequently than any other form of urban transport, with 50% doing so at least five or more days each week.

This compares to 39% for car use, 11% who use public transport and five per cent who cycle at least five or more days each week.

Over half of respondents (55%) agreed they could easily get to many places they need to visit without having to drive. Some 79% support the creation of 20-minute neighbourhoods where amenities and services, such as shops, green space and GPs are located within a 20-minute return walk or wheel of where they live.

However, the research found 27% of households are outside of a 20-minute return walk of a food shop, rising to 36% of households that are not within this distance to a GP.

The Walking and Cycling Index also found that more than half of people surveyed (56%) want to see more government spending on walking and wheeling, compared to just 32% for driving.

Xavier Brice, Sustrans Chief Executive, said, “The evidence is clear that people wish to feel safe and welcome while walking and wheeling, and without parked vehicles getting in their way.

"Pavement parking is discriminatory against wheelchair and mobility scooter users, other disabled people, those with visual impairments, and more.

"Achieving the UK government’s target for half of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030 will be impossible unless we do more to make walking and wheeling more accessible and inclusive - a vital first step is to ban pavement parking. Governments must listen to residents and prioritise walking and wheeling for everyone.”

Responding to the report, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association, transport spokesperson, said, “Pavement parking and damaged pavements is one of the biggest complaints from pedestrians. Similarly, repairing kerbs and pavements damaged by pavement parking is expensive and this funding could be better used to repair potholes, support local buses and provide more suitable parking.

“We have long-called for councils across the whole country to be able to take individual local decisions about whether to introduce a ban on pavement parking. We urge the government to take urgent action and make our streets safer for everyone.”