As car ownership rises, parking in town centres is getting tighter. In Wokingham the problem will get worse as people move into the strategic development south of the railway, while road capacity and car park spaces are not expected to increase in line with demand.
The government says pavement parking reduces visibility and blocks emergency vehicles, wheelchair users, people with prams and buggies, and people with disabilities like sight loss. It has announced plans to give councils legal powers to tackle pavement parking, with more detailed guidance expected later this year.
Wokingham Borough Council expects to be given the same civil enforcement powers as the police to enforce unnecessary obstruction on footways.
Obstructing the pavement, whether with a vehicle or by any other means, can force people to walk in the road.
It is particularly an issue for those with disabilities and in some cases can prevent them from completing their trip altogether.
The council says the police can take action against obstruction but rarely have the resources to do so, and that outside London local authorities have previously had limited powers except where there are formal parking restrictions or dropped kerbs. Wokingham supported the change during consultation, saying it will help make streets safer and more accessible.
Officials expect enforcement to follow similar processes to existing parking rules, responding to public reports of recurring or significant concerns and avoiding inappropriate use of any new powers.
Concerns about road safety can already be reported to the council — search online for 'Wokingham road safety concern' to find the online report form.
Whilst we may not have the legal power to enforce quite yet, we will log your concern.
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
