Parking on pavement ‘puts lives in danger’
MUMS WITH PRAMS WELCOME POLICE’S STERN WARNING TO DRIVERS WHO BLOCK FOOTPATHS
POLICE are warning drivers they will be fined if their cars block pavements to pram pushers and other pedestrians.
Officers in Oldham say those on foot are being forced into the road and shared a warning on Facebook to remind drivers of the consequences.
The post, from GMP Saddleworth and Lees, says: “Vehicles parking on the footpath taking up pedestrian space is dangerous and puts people’s lives at risk. This lady with her pram had to walk around the vehicle to pass by going into the roadway.
“Driver spoken to and stern warning issued with a fine as next step. Please be considerate guys and park properly.”
The warning comes months after officers in the area issued a similar warning to drivers parking near Greenfield Station. On that occasion they said cars could be ticketed and removed.
Commenting under the post, many residents welcomed the move by the police.
Lorna Hollinworth said: “I walk with a pram and a four-year-old down to school and I can guarantee every morning we have to go into the road because of parking like this.
“Delph Lane in Delph is the worst for it, double parking too. Plus cars drive well above the speed limit, I worry we will have an accident one of these days.
“Delph Lane is wide enough that people don’t need to block the pavements and make my children have to go into the road. Well done GMP.”
Jean Calverley added: “This situation is a joke. Huddersfield Road, Diggle, is bad for this, I have had to go in the road with my grandson’s pram on several occasions.”
Others believe other solutions need looking at rather than punishing drivers.
Lesley Milne said: “Interesting to know that it’s an offence for which you can receive a fine.
“It’s a difficult problem to find a happy medium especially with the narrow streets round the Saddleworth villages.
“People park on kerbs and verges to allow more space for traffic to flow through but it’s going to impact on pedestrians unfortunately. Solutions need to be discussed instead of punishing people. Most people are both road and pavement users and see both sides of the issue.”
Officers from the GMP Saddleworth and Lees Facebook page replied, saying that was why they wanted to highlight issue to the community “instead of just going out straight into enforcement.”
They added: “Where people access down a pavement is stopped because a vehicle is parked so far across would be deemed as unnecessary obstruction for which you could potentially be fined and have your vehicle lifted.”
Vehicles parked on single or double yellow lines are a local authority matter and dealt with by councils.
While the law says parking on the pavement is not a crime – unless it’s a lorry – blocking the pavement is against the law.
Referring to a similar incident last year, Sgt Paul Lenarcic, from GMP’s Traffic Unit, said: “When we receive reports of an obstruction a traffic PCSO is assigned to make an assessment of the road.
“If it is deemed obstructive a fixed penalty will be issued. Should it be causing issues such as excess traffic, then action will be taken to remove the vehicle if required. This will incur further costs for the vehicle owner.”