Pavement Robots and Pavement Overload
The meeting focused on autonomous delivery robots and their use of pavements. The session brought together pedestrian and accessibility perspectives, local councillors and an operator to discuss safety, accessibility, local decision-making and the absence of a clear national regulatory framework.
Speakers included:
- Catherine Woodhead, Living Streets
- Dr. Amit Patel, Living Streets
- Cllr Marian Elliot, Sheffield City Council
- Cllr Emma Edwards, Bristol City Council
- Lisa Johnson, Starship Technologies
What was discussed
Living Streets and Pavement Overload
Living Streets launched its Pavement Overload campaign film and argued that autonomous delivery robots add another obstacle to pavements that are already crowded and difficult to navigate. Catherine highlighted the lack of a national regulatory framework and polling showing concern about the impact on people with mobility issues. Amit described the additional difficulty and uncertainty robots can create for blind and visually impaired people and guide dog users. Living Streets’ position was that pavements should remain space for people rather than vehicles.
Local authority experience
Councillors from Sheffield and Bristol described concerns about how robot operations had appeared in their areas and the limited routes available for local scrutiny. Marian Elliot said residents in Sheffield raised concerns about robots blocking pavements, accessibility and a lack of consultation, while the decision-making process had been difficult to follow. Emma Edwards described similar concerns in Bristol, including reports of obstruction and collisions, and said the council had struggled to establish a dialogue with the operator. Starship later clarified that it had not operated in Bristol.
Starship Technologies
Starship set out the case for autonomous delivery robots, arguing that they can replace short car journeys, support people who have difficulty getting out and provide a lower-impact form of last-mile delivery. The company described its safety systems, mapping, remote human support and work with accessibility groups. It acknowledged that community engagement in Sheffield could have gone further and supported a national safety baseline combined with clear powers for local councils to decide whether and how robots operate in their areas.
Regulation and next steps
Discussion focused on the legal grey area in which delivery robots currently operate, the relevance of existing autonomous vehicle legislation and the government’s proposed sandbox approach. Participants questioned why robots need to operate on pavements rather than roads and how disabled people should be involved in decisions about routes and deployment. The Chair said the APPG should return to the issue before legislation progresses, with further evidence from Bristol and Sheffield and more direct input from people who have tried to influence local introduction plans.
Key issues raised in the discussion
- The impact of additional pavement obstructions on blind and visually impaired people, wheelchair users and others who already face barriers when walking or wheeling
- The absence of a clear national regulatory framework for autonomous delivery robots and uncertainty about the legal basis on which they currently use pavements
- The need for meaningful local consultation and clear decision-making powers for councils before robots are introduced or expanded in an area
- The tension between the potential benefits claimed by operators, including fewer short car journeys and more accessible delivery, and concerns about whether those benefits justify use of limited pavement space
- The case for minimum safety standards, clear operator accountability, insurance and reliable ways for residents and councils to raise problems when they occur
- The APPG’s intention to revisit the issue before legislation progresses and to hear more evidence from local communities and people directly affected by robot deployments