WEST Sussex County Council has prepared its response to a government consultation which could lead to a ban on pavement parking.

With the exception of London – where a ban already exists – only lorries are currently prevented from doing so.

Rather than calling for a complete ban, the council would prefer to be given powers to take action against drivers causing an ‘unnecessary obstruction’, members of a scrutiny committee have been told.

Simon Oakley (Con, Chichester East) said that defining what constitutes such an obstruction would be ‘tricky’ but opting for enforcement was the more practical option, given the council’s resources.

He added: “Though an area-wide ban may sound very attractive, the actual practicalities and resource implications of doing it will make it prohibitive.”