PERIL OF THE PAVEMENT PARKERS

30-04-2007

Following complaints from our readers and bloggers about the perils of pavement parking, we’ve been out snapping some of the most obvious culprits in the West Midlands. The bad news is the Department of Transport admits there’s not a lot they can do about it.

We first raised the issue in The Stirrer’s Birmingham Mail last month when Tony Sankey from Stirchley complained that his disabled wife has a problem riding her motorised scooter past the Checkmate Café on Pershore Road because cars regularly park on the pavement (see the article here).

He also says that her tyres have had to be changed because they were damaged by an anti-parking bollard whichwas removed by the local authority but still has its spikes exposed.

Stirrer blogger Blind Dave Heeley has also written about the problemspavement parking causes him when training for marathons.

The Department of Transport says that motorists parking off-road “can create hazards for visually impaired, disabled and elderly people or those with prams or pushchairs.

“It may also cause damage to the kerb, the pavement, or the services underneath.”

But they admit: “Enforcement may be a problem unless the local authority is able to take on the responsibility through the arrangements being developed under the Road Traffic Act 1991.”

Of course, in some cases, parking either fully or half on the pavement may actually be a sign of consideration towards other drivers, helping to create extra space on a narrow road.

We reckon that there needs to be much clearer guidance about what is and isn’t allowed - but that the default position should be that pavement parking is banned and should be the subject of strict enforcement.

To see some examples pavement parking, click here, the join the debate on our messageboard. And if you see any examples, snap them and send to 079 3030 6969