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The Government has responded to calls from the public to restrict the use of mobility scooters on pavements across the UK. The issue is part of a larger national conversation surrounding accessibility and active travel. Just last month, the Secretary of State for Transport gave an update on plans to ban vehicles from parking on pavements. A parliamentary spokesperson for Heidi Alexander told the House of Commons that her department is currently "working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them". This comes almost five years after a consultation on the topic concluded. "Local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking in the meantime," the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood, added. Most people would agree that a ban on pavement parking move would improve life for those with disabilities and mobility issues, however, questions have also been raised on whether or not mobility scooters use should be restricted on footpaths. Currently, both Class 2 and Class 3 scooters are permitted on pavements, but they must not exceed a speed of 4 mph and should be used with care to avoid obstructing pedestrians. In Parliament on Friday, Mr Lightwood was asked whether his department was considering restricting or prohibiting the use of mobility scooters on pavements. The Labour MP for Wakefield and Rothwell pointed out that both "mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are already legally restricted". He added: "As part of the powered mobility device review, we intend to consult publicly to ensure everyone has the opportunity to give their views and make sure the regulations are designed with, and not for, disabled people. "The safety of all users who rely on a powered mobility device, pedestrians and other road users will be a key consideration in the review." Safety is a big concern for users of mobility scooters, many of whom opt for the smoother surface of the pavements instead of pothole-ridden and car-dominated roads. Last year, an 84-year-old grandmother described how encountering obstacles or narrow paths force her onto the road where things become "uncomfortable" and even "painful" due to potholes. Margaret Pryke from Ashford, Kent, complained that "dangerous" and damaged roads are putting mobility scooter users at risk.
