“We’re considering what options we have available, because we want to make sure that any measures are not burdensome on local authorities and are done in the most effective way. But I am really committed to responding to the consultation as quickly as possible.”

The consultation came up with three options to tackle pavement parking with each offering varying levels of enforcement. 

Option one would simply rely on improvements to the existing Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) system. 

This would place the power with local authorities and give them the freedom to devise how and where to issue parking bans based on traffic levels. 

The second option outlined in the consultation would be to extend council powers with local authorities able to “enforce unnecessary obstruction as a civil matter”.

Finally, option three considered the pros and cons of a national pavement parking ban across the country. 

The consultation found motorists would “establish a general rule against pavement parking” with certain exemptions in place where they were needed. 

However, the DfT warned that introducing a ban would be “the most significant change to English parking law in several decades”.

It added the scheme would require a “significant implementation period” while it would take time to identify areas which could be exempt. 

It also suggested a ban may be "inappropriate for rural areas” and could be “particularly difficult in environmentally sensitive areas” such as historic towns and villages.

A previous study from Startline Motor Finance showed the move could be supported by motorists. 

A massive 62% of road users said they backed the concept of banning pavement parking with 28% believing it was “lazy” to stop on the path.