Leaders at Norfolk County Council have confirmed they are ready to punish drivers who obstruct pavements when the authority gains 'new and improved legal powers' later this year.

The Department for Transport has confirmed councils will be able to restrict pavement parking across much wider areas than before - and County Hall is prepared to crack down on the issue.

Cars parked on pavements in Norwich (Image: Sonya Duncan)

It would enable the council to fine drivers who park on pavements where restrictions have been introduced.

How much would the fines be?

The level of fines has yet to be confirmed, but in London, drivers can be fined up to £130, while in Scotland, fines are £100.

Under previous rules, authorities had to apply for pavement parking restrictions often on a street-by-street basis, but they will now be able to pick where enforcement is most appropriate.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Graham Plant, the Conservative-run council's cabinet member for transport, said: "Pavement obstruction is a significant issue that affects the safety, accessibility, and comfort of pedestrians, including wheelchair users, those with visual impairments, parents with young children, and older residents.

"Once enacted, these powers will enable civil enforcement officers to issue penalties for pavement obstruction, addressing a long-standing gap in enforcement where neither the police nor councils were previously able to act effectively.

"Councils will retain the flexibility to identify where restrictions are necessary, while allowing exemptions in areas where pavement parking may be unavoidable or does not cause significant harm.

"The national guidance supporting the use of these new powers is expected later in 2026, ensuring their application is consistent, proportionate, and sensitive to local conditions."

Campaigners have called for action

Mr Plant revealed the council's intentions at a meeting where a member of the public asked if the powers could be used in the Thorpe Hamlet area of Norwich.

Campaigners there have pushed for action over problematic pavement parking, particularly near schools.

Mr Plant said: "In the context of Thorpe Hamlet, these developments represent an important opportunity.

"The enhanced powers will allow the council to take action against obstructive pavement parking, improve pedestrian safety, and respond more rapidly to concerns raised by residents.

"Combined with the recent strengthening of civil enforcement capacity across Norwich, this approach will help ensure that pavements remain safe, accessible, and available for everyone who relies on them."

The DfT will ‘set out guidance’ on how local authorities will be able to use these powers in a ‘proportionate and locally appropriate way’ later in the year.

Cars parked on pavements in Norwich (Image: Sonya Duncan)

With some of Norfolk's streets - such as the Golden Triangle in Norwich - it would be impossible for emergency vehicles to get down roads if drivers did not park on pavements, so restrictions are unlikely to be introduced there.

Warning that drivers must be treated fairly

Motoring organisation RAC has backed the new powers, but stressed councils like Norfolk need to treat drivers fairly.

Rod Dennis, RAC senior policy officer (Image: RAC)

Senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: "Our research shows a clear majority of drivers agree that no pavement user should be made to walk or wheel into the road because of someone else’s inconsiderate parking.

"These proposals should clear the way for councils to prevent pavement parking where it causes problems, but permit drivers to partially park on pavements where doing so helps keep traffic flowing and doesn’t inconvenience other people.

"However, it's vital councils inform drivers that they'll be starting to enforce unnecessary pavement parking, and are reasonable when doing so.

"As it will be for individual authorities to judge what constitutes an 'unnecessary obstruction of the pavement' and what doesn't, drivers must be treated fairly – or there's a risk councils start receiving a high volume of appeals for fines."

Norfolk County Council came in for criticism last month when figures obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request revealed the authority had raised a record amount - £1.2m - via fines from bus lane cameras.

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