Prevent pavement parking

Pavement parking has a serious health and safety impact on everyone as it makes it difficult to walk safely. Doing so regularly blocks the pavement to the extent that some pavement users, e.g. parents/carers with prams and buggies, wheelchair users, and people who have visual impairments, are forced into the road, and it has created access issues for people entering and leaving their homes on Morton Street – where the situation is especially bad.

There is huge demand for parking in the area, as it is close to Lawrence Hill train station, meaning people are parking there before taking the train or walking into the city. This is of special concern as the road is close to Church Road, which is one of Bristol’s busiest roads. Cars turn onto Morton Street at high speeds, where people are often having to walk in the roads due to blocked pavements.

Residents of Morton Street and neighbouring streets shouldn't suffer and put their safety at risk due to the lack of free parking spaces.

In England, outside of London, addressing pavement parking is primarily the responsibility of the police as they have the legal power to enforce the laws prohibiting driving on the pavement and obstruction of the pavement.

The council has limited power to enforce bans against pavement parking, but Bristol City Council should urge the government to devolve powers to local authorities, so the council can address the problem itself.

We, the undersigned, call on:

The police to use their powers more effectively and clamp down on illegal pavement parking on Moreton Street.

The Government to devolve additional powers so that councils can address pavement parking.

On behalf of residents, we need action before someone gets hurt.

Pavement parking has a serious health and safety impact on everyone as it makes it difficult to walk safely. Doing so regularly blocks the pavement to the extent that some pavement users, e.g. parents/carers with prams and buggies, wheelchair users, and people who have visual impairments, are forced into the road, and it has created access issues for people entering and leaving their homes on Morton Street – where the situation is especially bad.