The boss of a Bolton based specialist care provider says that the issue, which causes much debate on social media, particularly those with mobility issues.

Parking a car on the pavement is currently only illegal in London, although there are plans for new legislation to spread that nationwide.

Currently though, the only places where motorists can be penalised when parking their car is if they are on a double yellow line, or when forbidden parking in an area is clearly signposted.

A council spokesperson said: “Bolton Council would welcome the ability to enforce pavement parking where it impacts pedestrians. Legislation is needed to enable us to do this.

“The government, through the Department for Transport, consulted with local authorities last year and we are waiting for the result of this consultation to understand if legislation will come in place at some point in the near future.

“There are circumstances where we can enforce by existing traffic regulations now, but they are limited. We do carry out enforcement already where appropriate.”

In a survey of 23,000 people conducted by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, only 56 per cent of disabled respondent said they feel welcome when walking or using a wheelchair or mobility scooter – also known as wheeling – in the local area.

This is compared to 69 per cent of non-disabled people and has led to the charity deeming pavement parking to be “discriminatory”.

According to the survey, fewer cars on pavements would help 70 per cent of people to walk or wheel more.

Ray Bates, CEO and Co-founder of Community Care Options - a specialist care provider based in Bolton for the last 30 years – agrees that vehicles parked on footbaths presents significant issues for those with disabilities.

He also supports a change in the law that would penalise such incidents, although he says the law would need to include the impact on road users.

“Vehicles parking well over on foot paths does present access problems for wheelchairs especially, but also for mobility scooters, and prams," he said.

“Clearly if any vehicle is more than eighteen inches on the footpath there will be an obstruction - it must be a nightmare for blind people.

“Also, wheely bins just thrown back on the path when emptied presents just as much difficulty.”

He added: “The most inconsiderate drivers are the ones that completely park on the footpath, and I pass one every day.”