CALLS have been made to ban cars across Worcester from parking on pavements in a bid to improve pedestrian safety.
The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, has said councils across the country need to be flexible in introducing a ban which would aim to stop pedestrians from having to walk out into roads and risk their lives.
Already in place in London for the past 40 years, a ban on illegal parking would also free up congested pavements and stop damage to paving and grass verges.
LGA Transport spokesman Coun Martin Tett said: “Councils in the capital have been able to ban pavement parking for many years and it seems a nonsense that local authorities outside London remain unable to do this.
“Pavement parking and damaged pavements is one of the biggest complaints from pedestrians.
“In addition, repairing kerbs, verges and pavements damaged by pavement parking is expensive at a time when councils continue to face huge funding pressures as a result of further cuts to funding from Government.”
Jon Fraser, Highways Manager at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Whilst parking on the footway is often not desirable, it is unfortunately a reality and widespread throughout Worcestershire and indeed throughout the country.
“Where there are specific problems, the County Council may consider placing bollards to deter this practice and also the police are able to enforce if there is a serious obstruction issue.
“Concerns are best raised through local county councillors,” he added.
* What do you think? Is pavement parking a problem in your area? Are there specific times of day when it happens? What do you think should be done about it? Send us your views to [email protected]
