Eddisbury MP Supports Parking campaign

Antoinette Sandbach MP helps to steer the Pavement Parking Bill to success

Antoinette Sandbach MP was in Parliament on 4 December raising awareness of the need for a law to tackle pavement parking in England and Wales. The MP for Eddisbury attended the second reading of the Pavement Parking (Protection of Vulnerable Pedestrians) Bill which was presented by Simon Hoare MP. The Bill aims to give local councils greater powers to manage parking on pavements more effectively, replicating the law in place in London. In response, the Minister, Andrew Jones MP, pledged to convene a roundtable in the new year for the Government to seek solutions to the problem.

Pavement parking puts pedestrians at danger by forcing them to step out into the road. For people with sight loss, who are unable to see if they are at risk from oncoming traffic, this is a frightening experience which can even lead them to avoid leaving their homes.

The long-running campaign by Guide Dogs has gathered considerable momentum, with support for the Bill from MPs across the political spectrum, from the Local Government Association and 37 other groups including the British Parking Association, motorists' groups, disability charities, civic groups, professional organisations, and older people's groups.

Ms Sandbach commented:

"Pavement parking is both irresponsible and dangerous. Many of my constituents have asked me to support this very important campaign. I supported the debate last Friday in the House of Commons and will continue to support this campaign in the new year, when it will be the subject of a roundtable discussion from the Government. I'm pleased the Government are taking this seriously."

Guide Dogs Senior Campaigns Manager James White said:
"We are very grateful for the support Ms Sandbach has given to our campaign. Pavement parking is a daily danger for people with sight loss, in wheelchairs or with pushchairs across Britain, and the breadth of support for the campaign shows how important it is to implement a national law so that all pedestrians can walk the streets safely."

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