Ban pavement parking proper now, say 1000’s of Mirror readers

Pavement parking must be banned – as ‘footpaths are for pedestrians and roads are for motorists’ agree 1000’s of Mirror readers.

They have been responding to our ballot Should pavement parking be banned? With an enormous 2,099 saying sure, whereas simply 607 stated no.

But many readers saved to the center lane, saying the choice was removed from black and white. Numerous you stated such a ban would simply result in vehicles cluttering up our roads, leaving little room for visitors to get via, ‘not to mention an emergency car’.

Currently, it is solely unlawful in London to park on the footpath, however a brand new report has referred to as for the regulation to be rolled out throughout the entire nation.

The Local Government Association (LGA) says thoughtless parking presents ‘an actual hazard and a possible hazard to life’, with motorists typically placing older folks, wheelchair customers and people with pushchairs in danger by forcing them into the highway.

Presently, councils merely lack the required powers to deal with the issue, with the LGA consulting with them over how greatest to ramp up motion. The report discovered different issues related to pavement parking embody damaging the floor – resulting in pricey repairs – and creating journey hazards.

The Department for Transport (DfT) concluded its session into the potential empowerment of councils again in November 2020. However, there was no official announcement since then. A DfT spokesperson stated its session response “will be published in due course”.

Scotland was the primary nation within the UK to make pavement parking unlawful earlier this yr.

”I’ve NEVER had recourse to park on a footpath’

Many of you commented on our unique story. Here’s a number of what a few of you needed to say:

Dave1943: “I thought I was going to see a fatality when a jogger ran into the road to avoid a car parked on the pavement. He went straight in front of a car. How the car driver missed him was a miracle.”

Miliesko: “I think people tend to forget the basic rule. The road is for vehicles and the pavement is for pedestrians.”

Nas58: “If everyone parked entirely on the roads there would be no way vehicles will get through the roads. Even if one car could get through it means that one of them, if another is coming the other way, would have to back up all the way back to let the other through. Our road would not be wide enough to get emergency vehicles through … at all. I think it would be ok if some selfish people would leave enough room for wheelchairs and mobility scooters to get through, which is very possible in our road and often do.”

Mfi: “Most streets in the UK would be impassable for delivery, emergency or private vehicles if pavement parking was banned so don’t know what the answer is.”

Xiodinex: “As a wheelchair user it’s difficult enough navigating the poorly maintained pavements and lack of, or oddly, placed dropped kerbs without having to double back on myself, cross over, and progress on the other side before then having to cross back over in order to get past cars blocking the path.”

Stonehaven2: “I’ve been a driver for more than 60 years now and I’ve never had recourse to park on a footpath. I agree that in the terraced ex-miners rows in the North East, if parking was allowed on both sides of the street, emergency vehicles would be unable to get through. I really think that the law should come into force sooner rather than later and ban vehicles parking on pavements or designated footpaths.”

Mutcer: “Of course cars should be banned from pavements. I have seen cars with all four wheels off the road. Many drivers seem to consider themselves above the law. They moan about speed limits, speed cameras and humps and claim it is a tax on drivers. Pavements are for pedestrians.”

KarenG1-: “I don’t think it’s a black and white situation regarding a ban. In the NE of England where I live there are many streets of terraced houses without garages that have narrow access roads. If cars are parked on both sides of the street, on the road, not half on the pavement, there would not be enough access for any vehicle let alone an emergency vehicle. I am in support of a ban, where it’s practical.”

Bilmac: “Most definitely yes it should be banned with severe penalties for any offender. This is long overdue as the motoring public appear to have no regard for anyone but themselves nowadays.”

Graham782: “To ban pavement parking would make our narrow roads even narrower and possibly unnavigable. So in certain circumstances it makes sense to park halfway on the pavement. This move would not only be the Nanny State once again dictating what we should do, it would also be another attack on the motorist and a further use of the motorist as a Cash Cow.”

What do you assume? There’s nonetheless time to take our ballot, then increase in your resolution within the feedback: