For pedestrians, especially for those who use a wheelchair, pushchair or sight dog, pavement parking is a real concern. When the pavement is blocked by a parked car, they may have to navigate into the road to get past.
I spoke with residents in Chaddesden North about how much of a nuisance this issue is on Wood Road. They have told me they that want to have powers similar to London and Scotland, where pavement parking can be banned completely.
I am pleased that the Labour government has extended powers to ban pavement parking to the rest of England in the recent English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act. By the end of this year, councils will have the power to set rules, put up signage, and fine drivers for pavement parking.
This is a more flexible approach, as understandably it might be needed in some locations as a lot of our infrastructure was not made with cars in mind. It will mean that areas like Wood Road could have proper enforcement, so pedestrians can safely use pavements.