Maya Ellis

I thank the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire) for securing this critical debate, on an issue that is such a headache for so many of our constituents. As a mother to two little ones, I know only too well that getting out and about with two young children is hard enough as it is. Being hit with trying to get a pram down the pavement where it cannot get through increases the social isolation that many have talked about. Access to pavements is a lifeline to many, especially those with disabilities or the elderly. A constituent of mine in Ribble Valley who is repeatedly affected by pavement parking recently got in touch to share his confusion about who to report his concerns to—the police or the council. We must ensure that local authorities and the police work together and are empowered to use their powers clearly not only to tackle but to visibly enforce this issue so that residents see responsible pavement parking management in action. However, nothing is more contentious and divisive on my local Facebook groups than pavement parking because, as other hon. Members have said, in many areas insufficient parking spaces are provided. We need to ensure that national policy on pavement parking and planning is designed with the unique challenges facing rural areas like mine in mind, where public transport is sparse and car ownership rates are much higher, and recommends realistic parking provision so that all areas are safe and walkable. On planning, I recently heard a comment that turning circles in schools are not part of planning policy because we want to increase green parking, and we all know the chaos they create.