Connor Naismith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, spoke to people with sight loss about the problems caused by pavement parking and inaccessible streets at the Guide Dogs' exhibition stand this October.

Cars parked on pavements are a problem for everyone, but are particularly dangerous for people with sight loss, who can be forced to walk in the road with traffic they cannot see.

According to Guide Dogs' research, 95 per cent of people with sight loss have been forced to walk in the road because of cars parked on pavements.    

Pavement parking is already against the law in London, and similar rules are coming into force in Scotland. The law in the rest of the country is complex and patchy. 

Guide Dogs is calling for a clear law across the rest of the country, to ensure that everyone can walk their streets safely. Almost three quarters (73 per cent) of councillors support Guide Dogs' call for a new law.    

According to Guide Dogs' research, 95 per cent of people with sight loss have been forced to walk in the road because of cars parked on pavements, much to the dislike of Connor Naismith MP (Photo: Supplied).

At the conference, Connor spoke to Guide Dog Owner, Scott, about their experience of pavement parking.  

Mr Naismith said: "I know the issue of pavement parking comes up a lot in the constituency, with the police doing their best to issue fines for cars parked inappropriately. 

"It is an inconvenience for many of us, but a health and safety hazard for vulnerable people – especially those who have additional needs, like a wheelchair or a guide dog."   

Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, Eleanor Briggs, said: "Cars blocking pavements are a problem for everyone but can be dangerous for people forced into the road, especially wheelchair users, people with pushchairs and people with sight loss.   

"We know cars blocking the way undermines people with a vision impairments' confidence to get out and about independently.

"This is why we are calling for a clear law that would empower local councils to tackle this problem."