Yellow Lines to Improve Older People's Mobility

In Westminster, years of campaigning finally led to almost 8,000 metres of single yellow lines to be turned into double yellows. This will benefit older and disabled people whose mobility is limited to wheelchairs and scooters.

The Westminster Older People’s Action chairman said: “The campaign for double yellow lines formed part of a petition that we handed to the council in May 2008 that had 600 signatures on it.” A number of lines at junctions and drop-kerbs have begun to be converted around 199 streets in Marylebone and the West End.

Older people who are wheelchair bound or use scooters to get around have found their freedom of movement at drop-kerbs restricted when cars are parked in the way. Because the cars blocked drop-kerbs, these people are then unable to get off the pavement.

A pilot scheme to convert single yellow lines into double in St John’s Wood has proved successful. In response to the campaign, it was estimated to be in the interest of older people to also implement it in Westminster.

According to the Council, there are only minimal impacts to the availability of parking in the area. At the same time, the scheme provides a platform for motorists to be more considerate to other public space users.

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