A blind wheelchair user has welcomed new government powers to tackle pavement parking – but warns they will only work if councils enforce them.
Julie Pilsworth, from Grimsby, says she is often forced into the road or trapped at home because drivers ignore existing restrictions in her area.
"Often it's impossible when we go out,'' she said. "It's really disheartening, it's frustrating and there are several times when I've come home physically in tears."
Councils across England are to be given more extensive powers to fine motorists later this year. North East Lincolnshire Council has already pledged to ban parking on pavements and said it was awaiting details of the government's plans.
Julie described occasions when blocked pavements left her unable to reach the shops or doctor's surgery.
She said the stress caused by bad parking stemmed not just from the inconvenience, but from the sense of isolation when everyday tasks became impossible.
Under the current rules, parking on the pavement is not usually an offence unless covered by local restrictions such as double yellow lines or a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).
London has had a blanket ban since 1974 and Scotland has introduced similar restrictions.
Some parts of Grimsby do have pavement parking restrictions, but Julie said they were routinely ignored.
While she welcomed the government's pledge to bring in new powers, she warned enforcement would be key.
"We need proper measures put in place because every day pedestrians' lives are put in danger when they're forced into the road," she said.
"I feel that if you could report pavement parking obstructions on an app, or to a website or an email address, then the parking enforcement could take action."
Guide Dogs, a leading sight loss charity, has campaigned on the issue for years. It welcomed the announcement, but said more clarity was needed.
Chris Theobald, senior policy manager, said: "We're really pleased that there's going to be some action on pavement parking after more than five years of campaigning.
"We think that there should be a clear law, like there's been one in London since the 1970s, and now in Scotland, that's clearer for motorists, clearer for pedestrians, so everyone understands that pavements are for people.''
In August last year, North East Lincolnshire councillors unanimously agreed to ban parking on pavements and verges.
A spokesperson for the authority said: "We welcome the government's response to the pavement parking consultation and we await further details for what this means for councils.
"Where TROs are currently in place across North East Lincolnshire, our enforcement officers regularly carry out patrols, and where appropriate take enforcement action.
"Officers have carried out further work to consider how this can be rolled out to other parts of the area and, most recently, how the government's latest response might impact these plans."
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The council says revenue generated from enforcement in four streets would be reinvested in highways.
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