Birmingham City Council has reiterated its intention to ban pavement parking on certain streets, with the city centre and busy roads likely to be prioritised, according to its latest Birmingham Transport Plan document.
The authority has wanted to introduce a formal ban for years and is waiting for Government approval to formally apply for the powers. The plans were detailed in the 'future steps' section of the Transport Plan, which mentioned the "removal of footway parking".
Impact on pedestrians
The council said parking on the footway "currently inhibits people's movement", adding that it is "particularly problematic for people with disabilities, especially those who use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, and for parents/guardians pushing child buggies or accompanying young children".
The document also stated that the city council "will seek opportunities to address footway parking and reclaim the space for people". It noted that kerbside space is home to a wide variety of infrastructure and amenities, including walking and cycling space, trees and greenery, servicing and delivery provision, bus stops and bus lanes, electric vehicle charging points, taxi ranks, freight parking, car club bays, cycle and motorcycle parking, micro mobility parking, and resting and socialising space.
Enforcement and examples
Enforcement is likely to work in a similar way to double yellow lines, with traffic wardens patrolling streets. Campaigners have called for a national pavement parking ban for years.
BirminghamLive recently witnessed parking chaos along Alum Rock Road and Stratford Road, the two worst routes in the city for parking fines, including cars left abandoned on the pavement, blocking the way of pedestrians.
The council's document concluded that kerbside space is "an extremely precious resource that is too often monopolised by car parking provision", and that "incidents of inconsiderate and unsafe pavement parking exacerbate the car's monopoly on kerbside space".
