Inconsiderate parking on, or partially on, pavements causes real problems for the blind, the disabled and people with wheelchairs or pushchairs. Furthermore, vehicles parked in this way cost us thousands of pounds every year due to the damage caused to footway surfaces and grass verges. We have an obligation to keep footways and verges safe for pedestrians and so this unnecessary damage places an extra burden on the maintenance budgets.
Pavement parking often results in insufficient room for pedestrians, especially those with wheelchairs or pushchairs. People have no option but to step into the road to walk past the obstructing vehicle. Obviously, this places them in danger. Furthermore, when a vehicle moves off the pavement it can leave behind damaged surfaces such as broken flags, which are also a danger to pedestrians.
If there are yellow lines on the edge of the road next to the pavement then enforcement action can be taken. This is because the restrictions apply to the whole of the highway – from the centre of the road to the back of the pavement. Alternatively the police can take action if the pavement is obstructed and pedestrians cannot get past without walking in the road. This applies whether there are yellow lines or not.