Local MP and shadow transport minister Daniel Zeichner MP was in Parliament to call for changes to the law to tackle parking on the pavement.

Mr Zeichner responded to plans aimed at giving local councils greater powers to manage parking on pavements more effectively, replicating the law in place in London. The Government has now pledged to convene a roundtable in the new year to seek solutions to the problem.

The long-running campaign by Guide Dogs has gathered pace with support from the Local Government Association and 37 other groups including the British Parking Association, motorists’ groups, disability charities, civic groups, professional organisations, and older people’s groups.

Mr Zeichner said: “I was very pleased to support action on pavement parking, and we want to ensure that progress is made on the issue. Although we are slightly disappointed that the Government have chosen not to support the Bill proceeding further, we welcome the fact that there will be further discussions. We hope that we ultimately end up with legislation that will help local authorities to make decisions about parking more simply, with reduced costs, and that we will be able to protect vulnerable pedestrians and all those who use our roads and pavements in our country.”

Guide Dogs Senior Campaigns Manager James White said: “We are very grateful for the support Mr Zeichner has given to our campaign. Pavement parking is a daily danger for people with sight loss, in wheelchairs or with pushchairs across Britain, and the breadth of support for the campaign shows how important it is to implement a national law so that all pedestrians can walk the streets safely.”