Pavement parking could be permanently banned under new plans to make roads and pathways safer for families and people with disabilities.
A new consultation has been launched to ban antisocial parking and give councils greater powers to fine drivers who flout the rules.
It comes after 95% of wheelchair users and people with visual impairments said they have experienced mobility issues due to restricted pavements in the past.
Under new rules being proposed, councils will be able to prohibit pavement parking in certain areas and fine drivers who mount the kerb.
It could see the introduction of a London-style parking ban, which already prohibits pavement parking in 32 boroughs.
The Department for Transport said that fines of £70 could be imposed, similar to the current charge for parking on double yellow lines.
Another option would be to create a civil offence of "unnecessary obstruction", which would allow councils to penalise the worst kinds of parking, including drivers who blocked footpaths completely, without issuing an all-out ban.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Parking on pavements means wheelchair users, visually impaired people and parents with pushchairs can be forced into the road, which is not only dangerous but discourages people from making journeys.
"A key part of our green, post-COVID recovery will be encouraging more people to choose active travel, such as walking, so it is vital that we make the nation’s pavements accessible for everyone."
Stephen Edwards, director of policy and communications at Living Streets, said: "We’re regularly contacted by disabled and older people who feel trapped in their homes because there is not enough room on the pavement for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
"This has impacted more people during the pandemic with blocked pavements affecting everyone’s ability to physically distance."
Blanche Shackleton, head of policy, public affairs and campaigns at Guide Dogs, said: "For many people with sight loss, cars and vans parked on the pavement make our streets stressful and dangerous to navigate. At any time, you might be forced out into the road with traffic that you cannot see.
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"When every journey is an ordeal, simply going out independently can become daunting."
Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, added: "Lots of us have occasionally parked a couple of wheels up on the pavement to leave space on the road without really thinking about how it might inconvenience people.
"It’s a topic that comes up regularly on Mumsnet, where wheelchair users and people with buggies share stories about being forced into the road or having to double back long distances."
The consultation comes as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps steps up efforts to encourage active travel – such as walking – as part of a green, post-COVID-19 recovery, and level up road quality across the country.
