Michael Fabricant attended the Guide Dogs’ for the Blind event at the Houses of Parliament on 10th June in support of their campaign to stop cars parking on Pavements.

The charity wants people living with sight loss to feel confident and independent when they are out and about, and believes that vehicles parked on pavements put people living with sight loss in danger.

The event, hosted by Lord Holmes of Richmond, highlighted the problems faced daily by guide dog owners who are being forced to walk into the road to avoid cars blocking their path. MPs heard from one guide dog owner who had even considered giving up his guide dog because of the constant obstructions he faced when out and about.

Pavement parking is already an offence in London, but the rules in the rest of the country are complex and patchy, leaving drivers uncertain of where they can and cannot park. Guide Dogs is calling for the introduction of comprehensive laws across the UK, which will outlaw pavement parking, but allow local councils to grant an exemption in areas where pavement parking is unavoidable.

“I do understand that sometimes with narrow streets in our area, it is necessary to park on the pavement”, says Michael Fabricant. “But I would like people to think twice about doing this in future. It should be the exception, not the rule. The roads are for cars and cycles, the pavements should be for pedestrians.

“I have received a number of messages from people in Lichfield regarding this” Michael adds.

Nichola from Lichfield says: “This is such a simple thing which would make the lives of visually impaired people so much easier; helping them get around and reducing further their dependence on others and the state….” And Denzil from Lichfield says “This is an excellent campaign and should have cross party support.”

James White, Campaigns Manager for Guide Dogs, said: "Cars parked on pavements blight the lives of people living with sight loss and other vulnerable road users including wheelchair users and parents with buggies or prams.

"Imagine how frightening it must be to step out into a busy road when you can’t see on-coming traffic, or you have your young child with you.

“We want to stop people from being forced into the road and we call on all parties to support a new law on pavement parking."

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is a British charitable organisation founded in 1931. Guide Dogs provides independence and freedom to thousands of blind and partially sighted people across the UK through the provision of guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services. It also campaigns passionately for the rights of those with visual impairments. Guide Dogs is working towards a society in which blind and partially sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.

Photo shows Michael holding the charity’s star on Guide Dogs’ pavement parking Walk of Fame awarded for supporting the charity’s campaign to stop cars parking on pavements.