Post by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

84% of councillors in areas without clear laws agree: pavement parking is a real safety risk for pedestrians. Helen, a guide dog owner, knows this all too well: “I’ve been forced into traffic, shouted at, and even broken my wrist trying to get past a car on the pavement.” No one should face barriers just to get around. On Liverpool’s Penny Lane, we’re showing the space a guide dog owner, pram user, or wheelchair user need to pass safely - and how quickly that space disappears when cars block the pavement. That’s why at Guide Dogs, we’re calling on the Government to introduce a national law to finally tackle pavement parking - especially as the Department for Transport has yet to publish the findings of its 2020 consultation on changing the law. Our research shows that in Scotland and London, where restrictions exist, 74% of councillors feel confident tackling pavement parking. It’s time for the rest of the UK to follow. Together, we can create streets that are safe, accessible, and welcoming for everyone. 💛 [Visual description: On Liverpool’s Penny Lane, a large Guide Dogs sign is laid flat on the pavement showing the space a guide dog and owner need to navigate obstacles safely. The sign reads "Guide dogs need space, not blocked pavements" Behind the sign, a car blocks the pavement, forcing a guide dog owner and his dog into the road.]