INSIDE THE CITY CHAMBERS

WHY do some drivers think it is acceptable to park on the pavement?

Those who do exhibit a remarkable degree of selfishness and little or no thought of the problems they create for the elderly, blind, disabled, and parents with pushchairs.

Surprisingly, pavement parking is not illegal – except in London for some reason.

Highway Code rule 244 says “You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it.

“Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs”.

However, there is no law preventing it which is why Kelvin MSP Sandra White has introduced a Member’s Bill to crack down on irresponsible motorists.

The proposed bill received support from 34 MSPs from four parties.

Of the 400 people who responded to the consultation, 95 per cent were in favour of the bill’s proposals for a blanket ban on parking at dropped kerbs, on pavements and double parking.

The spokeswoman for Guide Dogs Scotland pointed out for vulnerable people, the current lack of enforcement means everyday trips can be a nightmare.

However, the city council is likely to have its own reasons for wanting new rules.

Parking on pavements damages the surface and it is up to the council to find the cash to repair the cracks.

Crumbling roads and pavements are one of the top bugbears of city residents who are quick to point out the problems.

So it must be deeply frustrating for road bosses when they see a tonne and a half of car parked on their newly laid pavement.

Drivers complain about the damage done to their cars by potholes yet some of those same drivers will not give a seconds thought to dumping their motor on the footpath.

What is worse – a damaged tyre or an elderly person forced into the road because the pavement is blocked by a parked car.

In the last financial year, the city council spent £1.3million on repairing pavements in the city and the year before the figure was £1.8m.

Not all of that was due to drivers parking on pavements but a percentage of the total will be.

At a time of financial austerity, it is money which could be better used helping people who need it – including vulnerable pedestrians.

People who park on pavements exhibit a remarkable degree of selfishness