Pavement Parking

[AmesBS7]

I wonder if Mumsnet could help with this problem.

As a new Mum, I regularly 'pound the pavements' with my DD in her pram. I have noticed that there are always cars and vans parked on the pavements where I live, often blocking the entire pavement so I have to manoeuvre out into the road to get round. They also park across the dropped kerb crossing places. Makes life rather hard!

Having spoken to both the local Police and Council, they each said that it was the others' responsibility. The Council said obstruction of the Highway was a Police matter, so they could not do anything and the Police said that the powers to enforce against such obstructions had passed to local Councils as of last September, so they were no longer enforcing.

It seriously affects wheelchair users and also children who also have to walk in the road.

I live in Bristol. When I lived in London, nothng was ever parked on pavements as it would get towed! I think that they have specific legislation there - why not everywhere?

Does anyone else have the same problem in their area and could Mumsent campaign for this to be cleared up?

[summons Riven]

Yes, we have similar issues in Oxford - such narrow streets that the cars park on the pavements, leaving no room for wheelchairs/buggies.

I wonder if there is actually anything that can be done about it, or is it all down to the council?

Every now and then (such as when there was snow affecting roads and councils were under fire for lack of forward planning) the BBC gets someone in as a representative for all councils (however I cannot for the life of me remember the organisation's name).

However, it sounds like a stiff letter to the civil servants at the Department for Communities and Local Government might be in order, explaining the Police tell you it is the Council's responsibility and the Council says the opposite. Ask them which is correct, and to confirm this in writing to the Chief Executive at your council. Then send a quick letter to your council's Exec and tell him/her that the Council Officers you have spoken to continue to believe cars blocking pavements are a Police matter, but you're advised that is no longer the case, and a letter should be on its way to confirm it, from the Dept for Communities and Local Government.

Might make the Chief Exec put a rocket under the council officers (or at least their manager) and get some action next time you contact them... perhaps make that three days after the letter, unless you deliver it to the council offices by hand!!

Good luck.

Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

www.communities.gov.uk

The vision of the Department for Communities and Local Government is for prosperous and cohesive communities, offering a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment for all. Its role is to build the capacity of communities to shape and protect their own future.