MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, Patricia Gibson, attended a Guide Dogs event at the House of Commons on July 3 to show her support for the campaign to end problem pavement parking.

Mrs Gibson heard from guide dog owners how parked cars blocking the pavement force them to walk in the road, into the path of traffic they cannot see. Some owners face these dangerous situations on a daily basis, risking their safety every time they go shopping or make the school run.

Pavement parking particularly affects people with visual impairments, parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and other disabled people. According to a Guide Dogs survey, 97 per cent of blind and partially-sighted people have encountered obstacles on the pavement, and nine out of 10 have had problems with pavement parked cars.

Guide Dogs is campaigning to make pavement parking an offence, except in areas where local authorities grant specific exemptions.

Mrs Gibson said: “No one should be forced to brave traffic by cars parked on the pavement. I welcome plans for a law to end problem pavement parking in Scotland. Blind and partially sighted people should be able to walk the streets without fear.”