BRITS could soon be slapped with hefty fines for parking on the pavement anywhere in England.
Ministers are now working on a blanket ban to stop vehicles impacting on disabled and elderly people who use the footpath.
Under a proposal by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, drivers who block pavements even partially could be prosecuted for obstructive parking.
Parking on a footpath has been illegal in London since 1974, with drivers fined £70 if caught by police.
It's unclear how much motorists would be fined if they got a ticket, but it's likely to be similar to the London penalty.
The Department for Transport has launched a 12-week public consultation on the plans which would be enforced by police and local councils.
If approved, drivers could be banned from leaving their vehicle on the footpath by the end of the year.
Local councils will also outline designed spots for pavement parking when required by drivers.
A recent study by the Department for Transport found parking on footpaths was problematic for 95 per cent of people with visual impairments.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Vehicles parked on the pavement can cause very real difficulties for many pedestrians.
"That’s why I am taking action to make pavements safer and I will be launching a consultation to find a long-term solution for this complex issue.
"We welcome the Transport Select Committee’s recent report and share their drive to tackle pavement parking and improve people’s daily lives."
Emma Free, a guide dog owner and campaigner on pavement parking, said: "This announcement is a big weight off my shoulders.
"Cars parked on the pavement frequently force me into oncoming traffic and it makes me feel so disorientated and anxious.
"Sometimes it just becomes too much and it makes me feel like I don’t want to go out at all, which defeats the purpose of having a wonderful guide dog. This announcement is fantastic news."
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