MPs walk the Guide Dogs Walk of Fame

MPs will attend Guide Dogs’ event at the Houses of Parliament on the 10th of June in support of their pavement parking campaign to keep pavements clear and clutter free for pedestrians.

The event, hosted by Lord Holmes of Richmond, himself a guide dog owner, will highlight the problems faced daily by guide dog owners who are being forced to walk into the road to avoid cars blocking their path.  MPs will hear from one guide dog owner who has even considered giving up his guide dog because of the constant obstructions he faced when out and about. There will also be a number of guide dog owners and guide dog puppies at the event.

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.

James White, Campaigns Manager for Guide Dogs, said: "Parking on the pavement poses a real danger to people with sight loss and other vulnerable road users including wheelchair users and parents with buggies or prams.

"Imagine how frightening it must be to have 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 event will be held 9 June in the Members’ Dining Room between 16.00 and 18.00.