Brighton and Hove City Council gains powers to issue parking tickets for pavement parking, aiming to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility
Brighton and Hove City Council Gains New Powers for Parking Enforcement
Brighton and Hove City Council has welcomed the news that it will have the power to issue parking tickets to drivers who park on pavements. This move aims to keep pavements clear and safe for pedestrians, especially parents with buggies, wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, and people who are blind or have poor vision.
On Friday, January 9, the council stated that the new pavement parking powers are great news for Brighton and Hove. The council said, “Brighton and Hove City Council is welcoming the news that local authorities will be given more powers to tackle dangerous and anti-social pavement parking.”
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced that it will be easier for councils to introduce pavement parking restrictions across wider areas. The council added, “It will mean clearer pavements for pedestrians, buggies and pushchairs, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters across Brighton and Hove.” Currently, pavement parking restrictions are limited to individual streets and require a lengthy legal process.
Statements from Council Officials
Labour councillor Trevor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said, “This is very welcome news from the government and will help us tackle a persistent problem we’ve been wanting to address for some time.” He noted that parking on pavements causes safety and accessibility problems, blocking access for pedestrians, especially for disabled people and those with mobility issues.
Councillor Muten also mentioned that pavement parking damages pavements, which the council must then repair. He stated, “These new powers will give a greater ability to restrict and enforce pavement parking across the city, keeping them clear and safe for everyone.”
The council is awaiting further details and guidance from the DfT on how to use these new powers effectively and proportionately. Councillor Muten expressed his eagerness to work with officers to create better, clearer, and safer pavements for Brighton and Hove.
The council added, “Further guidance from the DfT is expected later this year.”
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| January 9 | Announcement | New powers for parking enforcement on pavements |
| Current | Restrictions | Limited to individual streets, lengthy legal process |
| Later this year | Guidance | Further details from the DfT expected |
