Parking on the footpath??

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 19:32
Parking on the footpath?? - fredthefifth

Just been on my regular dog walk round the block on a quiet road that only serves as access to a few properties. Normally I don't see a single car pass down there just to give you an idea of traffic volume. Road is wide enough for two cars to pass easily and footpath is normal width, probably 1.2m. And what did I encounter, a Galaxy parked with two wheels on the footpath leaving a couple of feet for the pedestrian.

Can't help but wonder at the logic. Anyone offer any insight?

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 20:43
Parking on the footpath?? - Vitesse6

Simple lack of consideration for pedestrians and more importantly wheelchair users or people with pushchairs.

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 21:01
Parking on the footpath?? - runboy

Yes, happens round here. Road wide enough for two vehicles to pass at the same time yet you'll find someone parked half on the pavement but this doesn't ease traffic flow at all. I wonder if they feel a bit "safer" by parking half on/half off but if I did this I would worry that if someone does try to squeeze two cars past they might damage mine - I would rarther leave the pavement for people and make cars wait to pass my parked car.

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 21:12
Parking on the footpath?? - Andrew-T

I am certain this habit has been spreading for quite a few years now. I guess there are several reasons: more (and bigger) cars; fewer walkers; less enforcement of the rules; and possibly the cars are now thought of more as a useful accessory which is just left wherever it costs nothing, until required later. And I don't suppose swingeing parking charges help either.

I first noticed it here (N.Cheshire) when apartments were being built nearby. The workmen could only conveniently park their vans on the nearby pavement. When the job was finished the public took up the habit, and it hasn't really died out since. The road in question is the A56, and at times we had traffic (stationary) on the pavement, meaning pedestrians had to use the road. Ridiculous, selfish and unsafe.

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 21:49
Parking on the footpath?? - fredthefifth

>>Ridiculous, selfish and unsafe.

and in that case illegal I think!

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 21:53
Parking on the footpath?? - fredthefifth

Yes agree with the above, inconsiderate behaviour, stupid too sometimes Some times I see cars parked with two wheels on the pavement behind cars that are parked normally, so what's the point!

Rarely does there ever seem to be enforcement, I see the same cars doing it time and time again. If I see it plod must too.

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 22:10
Parking on the footpath?? - retgwte

some parts of the country it is routine, if youre from one of those places you tend to do it without giving it a second thought. illegal maybe but like most laws on the books hardly ever enforced.

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 22:53
Parking on the footpath?? - bathtub tom

Someone round here's sticking labels on such vehicles:

The deep scratch in your paintwork was caused by the metal ferrule on the end of the white stick carried by the man wearing sunglasses who was walking his labrador.

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 23:13
Parking on the footpath?? - Andrew-T

... like most laws on the books hardly ever enforced.

Yes, laws. Most of them were created for a sensible reason, either to keep society running smoothly or to protect individuals. But once they are on the statute book, many people begin to think they are simply to generate fines or just to pick on them personally. In some cases things have moved on, and the law has become unnecessary. But a law tempts some to try and get away with defying it, often with no thought for its purpose, or for other people. So a game of cops and robbers ensues - enforcement.

Human nature, unfortunately.

Edited by Andrew-T on 20/03/2013 at 23:14

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Fri 22 Mar 2013 11:50
Parking on the footpath?? - Ed V

Since many Councils now encourage pavement parking to ease traffic flows, I'm not surprised drivers get confused. Most would guess roads to be more in need to "free-flow" than footpaths - understandably.

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Fri 22 Mar 2013 13:21
Parking on the footpath?? - Bromptonaut

Since many Councils now encourage pavement parking to ease traffic flows, I'm not surprised drivers get confused. Most would guess roads to be more in need to "free-flow" than footpaths - understandably.

Are there examples of the 'many' Councils now encouraging pavement parking?

It's OK when the pavement is broad enough and has the loadbearing strength but absolutely vital that pavement remains passable to wheelchairs etc.

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Fri 22 Mar 2013 13:55
Parking on the footpath?? - galileo

Since m0any Councils now encourage pavement parking to ease traffic flows, I'm not surprised drivers get confused. Most would guess roads to be more in need to "free-flow" than footpaths - understandably.

Are there examples of the 'many' Councils now encouraging pavement parking?

It's OK when the pavement is broad enough and has the loadbearing strength but absolutely vital that pavement remains passable to wheelchairs etc.

Living on a quiet crescent where the road is none too wide and not all have a drive to park on, the choice is sometimes to park on the road to leave the pavement free for wheelchairs (which never appear) or partly on the pavement, to give free access to fire service, refuse collection truck, etc.

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Fri 22 Mar 2013 14:23
Parking on the footpath?? - bathtub tom

Living on a quiet crescent where the road is none too wide and not all have a drive to park on, the choice is sometimes to park on the road to leave the pavement free for wheelchairs (which never appear) or partly on the pavement, to give free access to fire service, refuse collection truck, etc.

There's a third option: Don't have a car if you can't leave it somewhere without inconveniencing others!

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Fri 22 Mar 2013 20:45
Parking on the footpath?? - galileo

Living on a quiet crescent where the road is none too wide and not all have a drive to park on, the choice is sometimes to park on the road to leave the pavement free for wheelchairs (which never appear) or partly on the pavement, to give free access to fire service, refuse collection truck, etc.

There's a third option: Don't have a car if you can't leave it somewhere without inconveniencing others!

I always park on my drive, my point referred to neighbours (some have more than one car!), visitors, tradesmens' vans etc.

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Fri 15 Nov 2013 12:16
Parking on the footpath?? - John xxx

North Tyneside Council do nothing to stop parking on the footpath - is that encouraging it?

Here's what their website says:

What action does the Council take against pavement parking?

If there are yellow lines (waiting restrictions) on the highway adjacent to the pavement, then a parking ticket (Penalty Charge Notice) would be issued since a vehicle parked in this manner is in contravention of the waiting restrictions. 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 have no powers to take action. If the vehicle is blocking the pavement, Northumbria Police should be contacted since it constitutes obstruction.

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 23:43
Parking on the footpath?? - Auristocrat

Most Police forces are not now responsible for parking enforcement - this being handed over to the Local Authorities.

I know from resident association discussions with our local Police though (we have had problems with large vans parking partly on the pavement of our cul-de-sac), where a vehicle is partially parked on the pavement and there is insufficient room for a wheelchair user or mobility scooter user to get by on the pavement, the Police will issue a £30 fixed penalty notice.

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Thu 21 Mar 2013 07:54
Parking on the footpath?? - RT

Most Police forces are not now responsible for parking enforcement - this being handed over to the Local Authorities.

Obstruction of the highway, which includes the pavement, is an RTA offence - not a parking violation - which may be the issue as it can't be dealt with by Civil Enforcement Officers and the real Police are too busy.

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Thu 21 Mar 2013 10:11
Parking on the footpath?? - Bromptonaut

It's an offence in London (and possibly other places too) unless there are signs permitting. These will only be authorised in narrow road/wide pavement scenarios.

Otherwise, IIRC, the driver has to be caught moving on the footpath.

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Thu 21 Mar 2013 16:47
Parking on the footpath?? - martint123

Some examples here. preview.tinyurl.com/8xsmdet


Tiny URL'd as the real URL may offend the filters (and sensitive readers?)

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Thu 21 Mar 2013 20:04
Parking on the footpath?? - peg

I would like to see the large concrete balls ( as used in Spain) stuck on all kerbs on all suburban pavements as at weekends the roads are in effect single file, plus restricted pavement. What makes this more annoying is the fact that most seem to have empty drives(too idle to to negotiate the entrance).

It's time all roads were brought back to their intended use, Free movement of vehicles not car parks or kids play grounds. Remove all humps and other obstructions and have alternate sides of road parking and properties with parking to use it at all times, if you have frontage create space with permeable surface.

No commercial Vehcles, caravan/motorhome parked overnight, unclog the roads.

It will not happen as no governent or council wants to loose votes.

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Thu 21 Mar 2013 21:34
Parking on the footpath?? - Bromptonaut

No commercial Vehcles, caravan/motorhome parked overnight, unclog the roads.

.

So if you need to use a van for work where do you keep it?

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Fri 22 Mar 2013 07:27
Parking on the footpath?? - Happy Blue!

A couple of years ago there was a car parked behind our office so that the narrow footpath was almost totally blocked - less than two foot of width between the car and a wall. I called the Police who came and then ignored my request to ticket the car.

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Fri 22 Mar 2013 10:56
Parking on the footpath?? - Andrew-T

A couple of years ago there was a car parked behind our office so that the narrow footpath was almost totally blocked - less than two foot of width between the car and a wall.

Sounds like an opportunity for a little accidental damage. Just superficial, of course.

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Fri 22 Mar 2013 14:50
Parking on the footpath?? - peg

No commercial Vehcles, caravan/motorhome parked overnight, unclog the roads.

.

So if you need to use a van for work where do you keep it?

On the road so long as it is legally parked and not causing an obstruction, off road if you have frontage.

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Fri 22 Mar 2013 20:49
Parking on the footpath?? - jamie745

The last time I looked it wasn't commercial vehicles parked up at 3am causing the problem.

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Sat 23 Mar 2013 22:22
Parking on the footpath?? - Pete Mansell

What hope is there when the police are supposed to be responsible for parking enforcement, but I have often seen police cars unnecessarily parked half on the pavement in Stockport, when the road is plenty wide enough.

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Sat 23 Mar 2013 23:22
Parking on the footpath?? - veloster

i have a driveway on the street where i live.the people who dont seem to park on the footpaths.i think its possible there thinking there cars are less likely to be damaged there.not sure myself i think i would prefer to be parked on the road than have some baby buggy scrape down the side of my car..

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Sun 24 Mar 2013 15:09
Parking on the footpath?? - hillman

One bloke told me that he parked his car 18 inches out from the kerb because it had been regularly scratched by pram and tricycle handles.

A few years ago there was a section on evening TV where the cameras followed a group of do-gooders in London who'd formed a group calling themselves Pavements Are For People. The cameraman interviewed a young unshaven loafer with a spliff in his mouth as the group rocked and bounced a car gently back onto the road. The group were closely watched by a policeman to ensure that they didn't damage the cars. Then the owner of one of the cars arrived, a 'power dressed' young Asian woman carrying a brief case. She summed up the situation and exclaimed "I feel discriminated against", to the policeman. At that time it should have caused swift action, but the loafer almost swallowed his spliff in amazement and the policeman did - nothing.

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Sun 24 Mar 2013 16:58
Parking on the footpath?? - jamie745

What hope is there when the police are supposed to be responsible for parking enforcement, but I have often seen police cars unnecessarily parked half on the pavement in Stockport, when the road is plenty wide enough.

Police havent been responsible for parking enforcement for decades.

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Sun 24 Mar 2013 17:08
Parking on the footpath?? - RT

Police havent been responsible for parking enforcement for decades.

Not decades - and area-specific anyway - but even where it hasn't been de-criminalised it's very low priority.

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Sun 24 Mar 2013 17:18
Parking on the footpath?? - jamie745

22 years to be precise. Looks like plural decades to me.

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Sun 24 Mar 2013 17:34
Parking on the footpath?? - RT

22 years to be precise. Looks like plural decades to me.

Maybe where you live - but not everywhere!

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Sun 24 Mar 2013 17:59
Parking on the footpath?? - jamie745

Where I live it's practically a criminal offence not to park on yellow lines and in inconvenient places.

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Thu 28 Mar 2013 16:06
Parking on the footpath?? - BenG

Parking on pavements in commonplace where I live. It is just another example of ignorant, selfish behaviour by drivers in this country and complete disregard for other people.

Pavements are for pedestrians and not cars, simples!

Since law enforcement in this country seems to have become a thing of the past I think it's time for some direct action...

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Fri 29 Mar 2013 14:38
Parking on the footpath?? - sb10

My road is allowed parking on pavement and I dont object to it unless it is causing an obstruction,

More people cause obstruction parking where they are supposed to by being over the line, parking at an angle, which more seem to do now, and it would help if parking bays were bigger.

whats been forgotten is cars now are bigger than they used to be but parking areas are staying the same size as 1960s motors

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Sun 7 Apr 2013 23:50
Parking on the footpath?? - Big John

I am afraid I've encountered this. My father is now very disabled with no walking or standing mobility. As he now has to be hoisted into a wheelchair I can no longer get him into my car. My only option is to push his wheel chair - and at times I've had to leave the pavement - STOP the traffic and push him around a car parked on the pavement.

I once tried reporting it - fell on deaf ears.

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Mon 8 Apr 2013 21:15
Parking on the footpath?? - Sofa Spud

QUOTE:...""Police havent been responsible for parking enforcement for decades.""

But they can take action where a vehicle is parked dangerously, illegally or causes an obstruction.

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Tue 9 Apr 2013 18:10
Parking on the footpath?? - BenG

The problem with that post is that it contains the words 'police' and 'take action'.

Edited by BenG on 09/04/2013 at 18:11

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Wed 10 Apr 2013 15:04
Parking on the footpath?? - bintang

Damage to kerbs and pavements will of course ultimately be paid for by local Council Tax payers.

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