The Council has a responsibility to keep the roads and
footpaths safe to use.
Illegally parked vehicles cost the Council thousands of pounds a
year in damaged paving, damaged grass verges, and cause serious
problems for blind, disabled and older people.
What action does the Council take against pavement
parking?
If there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the
highway adjacent to the pavement then a Penalty Charge Notice would
be issued since a vehicle parked in this manner is in contravention
of the traffic order. Waiting restrictions cover the highway from
centre of highway to back of footpath.
If there are no waiting restrictions on the highway adjacent
to the pavement, then the Council has no powers to take action and
this should be taken up with the Police since it constitutes
obstruction.
Why is pavement parking a problem?
Pavements are constructed and provided for pedestrian
use.
Vehicles parked on pavements are:
- a hazard to pedestrians causing
an obstruction which may result in them having to step off the
pavement onto the highway thus putting themselves in danger.
- a hazard by restricting the
width of the pavement making it difficult for someone with a
pushchair of wheelchair to pass safely - again this person may have
to step into the highway to avoid the obstruction.
- a hazard due to the damage
caused by driving on and off the pavement - broken flags for
example.