Councils in England will get new powers to stop parked vehicles obstructing pavement users, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

This is aimed at making it easier for local authorities to impose pavement parking rules across wider areas.

Current regulations mean restrictions are often limited to individual roads and require costly, lengthy processes.

London and Scotland are the only parts of the UK where pavement parking is banned.

Local transport minister Lilian Greenwood said: “Clear pavements are essential for people to move around safely and independently, whether that’s a parent with a pushchair, someone using a wheelchair, or a blind or partially sighted person.

“That’s why we’re giving local authorities the power to crack down on problem pavement parking, allowing more people to travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go.”

Andrew Lennox, chief executive of charity Guide Dogs, said the announcement follows “years of campaigning”.

He added: “Cars blocking pavements are a nuisance for everyone, but especially dangerous for people with sight loss, who can be forced into the road with traffic they can’t see.

“When pavements are blocked, people with sight loss lose confidence, independence and the freedom to travel safely.”

A survey of 1,709 UK drivers commissioned by the RAC in June and July last year suggested 83% of motorists wanted new rules on pavement parking.

Some 42% of respondents were supportive of an outright ban in England, while 41% wanted councils to be given tougher powers to easily prohibit the practice on specific roads.