Skip to main content Skip to footer

OUR FIRST STEPS FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY STREETS

a man pushes a pram with a small child inside, while a little girl holds on to the pram at his side

On 4th July, a new UK Government was elected.

We now need the new Government to take urgent action to ensure child-friendly streets are achieved over the parliamentary term.

As an immediate priority of Living Streets’ first steps for child-friendly streets, we’re calling on the new UK Government to provide safe walking routes to school, with an urgent end to pavement parking.

a woman walking, holding hands with a child who is holding a green balloon

HERE ARE OUR FIRST STEPS FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY STREETS:

two little girls cross the street

1. SAFER STREETS

Provide safe routes for children to walk to school, with an immediate end to pavement parking.

two children hold up signs that say 60

2. TARGETS

Increase the walk to school target to 60%.

a man with glasses shakes hands with another man

3. DEVOLUTION

Ensure local authorities are properly resourced.

a man wearing glasses holding clipboard with two sacks of money next to him

4. SPENDING

Increase and sustain investment in walking and wheeling.

THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW

WHEN ASKED, 80% OF PEOPLE AGREED THEY WOULD FEEL SAFER ALLOWING THEIR CHILD TO WALK SCHOOL IF VEHICLES WEREN'T PARKED ON PAVEMENTS.

Alongside our supporters, we’ve been campaigning on this issue for over 50 years. The time for change is now.

1970

We first raise Pavement Parking with police & councils.

1974

Pavement Parking prohibited in London!

1980

We conduct our first national Pavement Parking survey

1991

We find widespread exemptions of Pavement Parking in London Boroughs

1995

We protest against Camden Council’s failure to enforce Pavement Parking

2011

We launch our ‘Protect the Pavement’ campaign

2019

UK Government launches consultation into Pavement Parking in England. 4,000 respond via our consultation form alone.

2019

Scottish Parliament agrees to ban Pavement Parking

2020

DfT Pavement Parking consultation closes

2023

Three-year anniversary of consultation closure