Bucks Council will receive extra powers to tackle problem parking

The new powers are due to take effect later this year, alongside government guidance on how the rules should be enforced in a “proportionate” way. Ministers say the changes will make it easier for councils like Buckinghamshire to tackle the worst examples of obstructive parking.

Responding to the announcement, Buckinghamshire Council said it welcomed the proposed new powers and would consider how best to apply them once government guidance is issued later this year.

Steve Bowles, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said the authority was aware of the impact pavement parking can have on residents and local communities. Pavement parking is a frequent issue raised by residents across Wycombe, with councillors saying they are regularly contacted about blocked pavements and safety concerns.

Cllr Trevor Snaith, the Independent member for Marsh and Micklefield, said pavement parking was a “genuine day-to-day concern” for residents in his ward. He said he supported the council taking on the new powers, provided there was a balanced implementation plan that took account of road design, accessibility and the practical realities facing residents.

“The most common issues people report are blocked access for wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs, reduced visibility near junctions, and pedestrians being forced into the road, which creates clear safety risks,” he said. “There are also ongoing concerns about damage to pavements and verges, which ultimately becomes a cost issue for the council and taxpayers.”

Cllr Snaith welcomed the new powers, describing the current system as a “patchwork of rules” that is confusing for residents and difficult to enforce.

“Giving councils defined authority would remove ambiguity and support more consistent decision-making,” he said. “That said, how these powers are applied will matter. Wycombe includes roads where off-street parking is limited and carriageways are narrow.

“Any new enforcement approach should be proportionate and supported by clear communication, proper signage where needed, and a degree of local discretion. The aim should be safer, more accessible streets — not simply issuing penalties.”

He added that many streets in his ward were built before the rise in car ownership and said a full parking review may be needed, with the aim of introducing designated residents’ parking in areas with a severe shortage of spaces.

Labour councillor Hazel Arthur-Hewitt, the member for Downley, said pavement parking was a “hot issue” for nearly every councillor. “Residents regularly get in touch with me because they can’t walk down the pavement as a car is blocking their way, causing poor visibility and risking pedestrian safety,” she said. “There’s very little councillors can do to address the problem. I’m delighted the government are giving more powers to councils to deal with it.

“I hope Buckinghamshire Council will grab this chance wholeheartedly so we can really get to grips with keeping our roads and pavements safer for both pedestrians and drivers.”

Pavement parking is currently banned outright in London and Scotland, while councils elsewhere in England can only introduce restrictions on a street-by-street basis, something ministers say has led to confusion and inconsistent enforcement.

Disability and pedestrian groups have long warned that vehicles parked on pavements can create serious barriers for wheelchair users, visually impaired people and parents with pushchairs, as well as forcing pedestrians into the road.

Many residential streets across Wycombe and other parts of Buckinghamshire were built decades before modern levels of car ownership, leaving limited off-street parking in some areas and adding to the challenge of managing pavement parking fairly.