PARKING on pavements could be banned across England under Government plans to ease journeys for disabled people and parents pushing prams.

The practice is banned in London but elsewhere in the country it is only prohibited for lorries.

However, local councillor Adele Warren has said that the issue could be a "nightmare" for residents.

She said: "It is a very tough balancing act but it is very important that people aren't obstructed on pavements.

"Some of our areas in Bolton that have a large amount of terraced streets have homes with inter-generational families who go all over for different jobs and reduced parking space would be a problem.

"Then you'll have people parking on green spaces and others will complain about that.

"I understand the sentiment and it is right that it is being looked at but it could cause an absolute nightmare for home occupants."

The Department for Transport (DfT) is consulting on three options in relation to pavement parking, including extending the London-style ban nationwide, making it easier for councils to prohibit pavement parking and giving councils the power to fine offenders.

Recent research from charity Guide Dogs indicated that 32% of people with visual impairments and 48% of wheelchair users are less keen to go out on their own because of antisocial pavement parking.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Parking on pavements means wheelchair users, visually impaired people and parents with pushchairs can be forced into the road, which is not only dangerous, but discourages people from making journeys.

“A key part of our green, post-Covid recovery will be encouraging more people to choose active travel, such as walking, so it is vital that we make the nation’s pavements accessible for everyone."