Transport Insights

During a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday, future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood signalled that a ban on pavement parking is imminent – or did she?

Well it looks like it could happen…some time in the future of roads.

Local news outlets such as Bristol Live report:

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian Greenwood, revealed that a policy announcement was imminent.

“Our work is helping us shape a policy that is not only effective but equitable. As a result of all that work, I expect to make an announcement very soon.”

Greenwood noted that the last government had sat on the issue for four years (after its consultation closed in November 2020) but said Labour, which came to power 14 months ago, was dealing with the matter as a matter of urgency.

“Very soon” sounds like good news. It’s such good news that Greenwood has said it (at least) twice.

In May, Birmingham Live reported:

In the clearest sign yet that a national ban could be on the way, transport minister Lilian Greenwood said she was “determined to tackle pavement parking”, which she labelled a “nuisance”.

She added she would be “setting out the way forward very soon”.

Greenwood is quite right that Labour ministers have been frustrated by the lack of progress under the Tories and determined to take the matter forward without delay.

Last October Anthony Ferguson, the Department for Transport’s then deputy director, traffic technology told the ADEPT National Traffic Managers’ Conference:

Ministers have come in having said in opposition that the delay in an announcement about pavement parking is overdue and “you’re a complete shower; do something about it”…so they have to do something about it.

That is definitely something they have identified as a priority to come to a conclusion on and move the discussion forward.

Move the discussion forward? Well, nearly a year on, they are certainly (still) talking a good game.