PEDESTRIANS charity Living Street has welcomed a Private Member's Bill which would ban pavement parking in East Lancashire.

Joe Irvin, Living Streets' chief executive, said: "We have been campaigning for years to reclaim our pavements for pedestrians and we are delighted that this important issue is finally being addressed after being delayed twice in the last Parliament.

"Pavements are for people, not vehicles and it is about time that this issue is prioritised and given the attention it deserves.

"Pavement parking is dangerous. It can obstruct the footway and force pedestrians into the path of oncoming traffic. This is particularly dangerous for vulnerable pedestrians including those with reduced mobility or sight loss, wheelchair or mobility scooter users and parents with young children or buggies."

There is currently no national prohibition against pavement parking, but local authorities and the police can act to tackle the issue through introducing a Traffic Regulation Order, although this is a rare occurrence.