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Helping local authorities prepare for the future of pavement parking management
Pavement parking has long been a contentious issue for local authorities, transport professionals and communities across the UK.
For some, pavement parking provides a practical solution to constrained road space and growing parking demand. For others, it presents significant barriers to accessibility, road safety and the effective use of public space. As governments consider new approaches and local authorities prepare for potential changes in policy and legislation, the need for practical guidance, shared learning and informed discussion has never been greater.
The National Pavement Parking Conference 2026 will bring together policymakers, local authorities, accessibility groups, parking professionals, highways teams and industry partners to examine the future of pavement parking management.
Through a mixture of keynote presentations, case studies and panel discussions, delegates will explore the policy landscape, hear from organisations at the forefront of the debate and learn how authorities can prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Whether you are developing policy, managing enforcement, designing streets or advocating for accessibility, this event will provide valuable insight, practical learning and unrivalled networking opportunities.
Why now?
"People shouldn’t have to dodge vehicles parked up on pavements as part of their daily routines. That’s why we’re giving local authorities powers to clamp down on pavement parking, helping to make our town centres and high streets open and accessible for all"
Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary
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The Government's response to the pavement parking consultation sets a new direction for local authorities. This conference explores what those changes mean in practice for policy, implementation, accessibility and enforcement.
Key themes:
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National policy and legislative developments
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Accessibility and inclusive mobility
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Road safety and public realm considerations
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Learning from authorities already taking action
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Enforcement and compliance
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Public engagement and behaviour change
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Kerbside management and competing demands for road space
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Technology and innovation
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Preparing for future implementation
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Key questions:
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What exactly do the new Government powers mean for local authorities?
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What further guidance is still to come?
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How should authorities prepare now?
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What lessons can be learned from London, Scotland and Wales?
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How can accessibility be improved without creating unintended consequences?
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What does effective enforcement look like?
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How should authorities engage with residents?
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What role will technology play?
Why attend?
By attending the National Pavement Parking Conference you will:
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Understand how councils are preparing for possible national pavement parking legislation
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Learn how existing enforcement powers are being used successfully
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Hear directly from authorities already tackling pavement parking
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Discover practical approaches to balancing enforcement, mobility and placemaking
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Explore how accessibility, road safety and placemaking objectives can be balanced.
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Understand how technology can support compliance and evidence gathering.
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Network with local authority officers, policymakers, accessibility organisations and suppliers.
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Take away ideas and contacts to help prepare your authority for future implementation.
Speakers
Speakers will appear here once confirmed
Mat MacDonald
Road Safety Commissioner
West Midlands Combined Authority
Tanya Braun
Director of External Affairs
Living Streets
Emily Green
Youth Board Member
Whizz Kidz
Nick Lester-Davis
Consultant
Traffic and Parking
Stephen Parkes
Senior Research Fellow
Sheffield Hallam University
Caroline Hamilton
Chief Adjudicator
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Graham James
Technical Director
Parking Perspectives
Jessica Luke
Regional Policy and Campaigns Manager for the Midlands and the East
Guide Dogs
Rebecca Hawthorne
Transport Planning Manager
Birmingham City Council
Adam Bunce
Director
Ethos
Professor Scarlett McNally
Consultant
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Aideen Blackborough
Disability Trainer
Independent​
John Dales
Chair of Board of Trustees Living Streets
and Director
Urban Movement
18 November Conference Programme
Programme currently in development. We welcome contributions. Please contact Jason.Conboy@landor.co.uk if you would like to be a part of this agenda-setting programme.
09.15
Registration, Networking and Exhibition
09.45
Chair's welcome
10.00
Session 1: Preparing for the new pavement parking powers
​Under the new English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, local transport authorities will be given new powers to enforce against dangerous parking on pavements and verges including through fixed penalty notices. This is preferable to relying on a complex, blanket national ban, argues the Government. But how will this work in practice? Is there a risk that pavement parking enforcement will be under-resourced and will continue to be treated as a low priority? Will there be a ‘postcode lottery’ with patchy implementation and enforcement? A panel of experts will consider the way ahead.
Chair
Mat MacDonald, West Midlands Road Safety Commissioner
Panellists
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Gavin James, Deputy Director - Traffic and Technology, Department for Transport
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Adam Bunce, Director, Ethos
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Professor Scarlett McNally, Consultant orthopaedic surgeon
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John Dales, Chair of Board of Trustees, Living Streets, and Director, Urban Movement
11.15
Refreshments, networking and exhibition
11.45
Session 2: Consultation, communication and implementation
As authorities across the UK respond to growing pressure around pavement parking, practical experience is beginning to emerge. This session will share lessons from organisations already tackling the issue.
​​Chair
Phil Jones, Chairman, PJA
Panellists
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Rebecca Hawthorne, Transport Planning Manager, Birmingham City Council
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Tanya Braun, Director of External Affairs, Living Streets
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Jessica Luke, Regional Policy and Campaigns Manager for the Midlands and the East, Guide Dogs
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13.00
Lunch, networking and exhibition
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Optional guided tours led by Living Streets (30 minutes)
14.15
Session 3: Designing Streets That Work For Everyone
How can authorities balance accessibility, parking demand, traffic movement and placemaking objectives? The impact of pavement parking is felt most acutely by disabled people, older residents and those with mobility impairments. This session will explore how authorities can balance accessibility with wider transport and parking objectives.
Chair
Adam Bunce, Director, Ethos
Panellists
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Aideen Blackborough, Disability Trainer
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Stephen Parkes, Senior Research Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University
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Emily Green, Youth Board Member, Whizz Kidz
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Graham James, Technical Director, Parking Perspectives
15.30
Refreshments, networking and exhibition
16.00
Session 4: Delivery, Compliance and Enforcement
What does successful pavement parking management look like in practice?
How can authorities move from policy ambition to effective delivery?
And what about the pavement clutter caused by e-bikes and scooters, A-boards, cross-pavement EV chargers and flytipping?
This session will examine the practical realities of implementation, compliance and enforcement.
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Chair: Tanya Braun, Director of External Affairs, Living Streets
Panellists
Nick Lester-Davis, traffic and parking consultant
Caroline Hamilton, Chief Adjudicator of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Enforcement company
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Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market
Victoria Square and New Street
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is a firm fixture in the city’s annual calendar and a massive favourite with both residents and visitors to the city from across the UK and Europe. Birmingham comes alive every winter with the arrival of the Market, a clear sign that Christmas is just around the corner. This year, the stalls will be on Victoria Square and along High Street, offering something for everyone.
Who should attend?
National and Regional Bodies
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Department for Transport
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Combined Authorities
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Transport Authorities
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Local Government Association
Local Authorities
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Policy and Strategy Teams
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Parking Managers
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Parking Services Teams
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Highways Managers
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Traffic Managers
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Transport Planners
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Road Safety Officers
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Public Realm Officers
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Accessibility Leads
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Civil Enforcement Managers​
Accessibility and Community Organisations
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Disability organisations
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Walking and wheeling groups
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Community representatives
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Equality specialists
Private Sector
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Parking technology providers
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Enforcement suppliers
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Transport consultants
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Legal advisors
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Data and technology providers
Attendee rates
Exhibiting opportunities
Meet senior decision-makers responsible for parking, highways, transport strategy and accessibility across the UK.
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The National Pavement Parking Conference 2026 brings together policymakers, local authorities, accessibility groups, parking professionals, highways teams and industry partners to examine the future of pavement parking management.
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This event provides your organisation with a focused opportunity to showcase your products and services to professionals. We welcome organisations involved in: Parking enforcement; Civil enforcement technology; Kerbside management; ANPR; Parking software; Digital permits; Accessibility; Street design; Traffic management; EV charging; Consultancy; Public engagement; Data and analytics.
Supporter Exhibition Package
Includes:
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3m x 2m exhibition space provided with furniture, power and
Wi-Fi -
1 speaker slot at the event
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Up to 5 delegate places
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Prominent logo displayed as supporter on the event website
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Prominent logo displayed on the exhibition floorplan
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Prominent logo displayed on all event holding slides
