Lincolnshire Council Unanimously Bans Parking on Verges and Pavements to Enhance Safety

New Traffic Regulation Orders Target Blocked Pedestrian Paths, with Full Implementation Expected Over Next 3-5 Years

The Lincolnshire Council has unanimously voted to ban parking on verges and pavements to improve safety and accessibility. This new measure will be enforced through traffic regulation orders (TROs) designed to prevent vehicles from blocking pedestrian paths and green spaces.

The decision came after numerous complaints highlighted the challenges faced by wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and elderly residents forced into roadways to bypass parked cars on sidewalks. Councillor Stephen Beasant, whose wife uses a wheelchair, stressed the daily obstacles caused by indiscriminate parking.

While the ban received widespread support, council members acknowledged that its full implementation could take three to five years. This delay accounts for the need to increase enforcement staff and manage resources effectively.

Narrow streets where emergency vehicles require access will be exempt from the ban. Additionally, the council plans to enhance online reporting systems to allow residents to report violations more easily.

This effort aims to create safer, more inclusive streets for all residents of Lincolnshire.