Blocking the path

Updates

• Where a vehicle is parked on the pavement/verge, and parking restrictions are in force, our Civil Enforcement Officers would be able to issue a Penalty Charge Notice to any vehicle that is found to be parked in contravention. Where no waiting restrictions are present on the road, parking on a grass verge or pavement is not illegal. However, a driver may be open to prosecution if their vehicle is persistently damaging a verge, parked dangerously or causing an obstruction. Where there are no restrictions on the road, enforcement can only be carried out by Northamptonsire Police, but they are only likely to take action if the parking is causing an obstruction, such as a situation where pedestrians, pram or wheelchair users are being forced into a busy road as a result of parking blocking the verge or pavement. Such cases should be reported to the police on the non-emergency phone number 101 they will then make a decision on what action they may be able to take. Pavement parking is a national problem and the Department for Transport has been looking into this issue for some time and we are waiting the outcome of the consultation that they carried out in order for us to consider this matter further as currently parking on the pavement is not illegal outside of London, although we do fully understand the concerns that this has within the local community. The following link is the most up to date information that is available Managing pavement parking - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

  In the interim, should you feel that an obstruction is happening, then this can be reported to the Police who can judge whether this is dangerous or causing an unnecessary obstruction of the road, they could look to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice

  State changed to: Closed

  Posted by West Northamptonshire Council at 08:12, Wednesday 16 April 2025