Parking On Pavements

[Bazile]

Why do people park on pavements - either part on or full on ?

Do You park on the pavement - If Yes - why ?

[hc4361]

I do, when necessary. It's not illegal unless you are driving a HGV and it can help with the flow of traffic where the road is narrow and the pavement wide.

I have never parked in such a way that pushchairs, prams or wheelchairs can't pass on the pavement

[woofgang]

what hc said. sometimes its the best option.

[dannyk13]

/// It's not illegal unless you are driving a HGV///
Ant vehicle parked partly or wholly on a pavement is causing an obstruction in that pedestrians cannot use that part of the pavement.(that is unless the law has altered since I used to report these offences for summons)

[MargoTester]

In lots of places now,especially in London, parking spaces are actually marked half on the pavement and half on the road.

[retrocop]

Sec 121 of The Highways Act wasn't it in our days danny. ?

[ummmm]

No but I've not had need to. Some pavements are wide enough to allow it without obstructing anyone.

[dannyk13]

Can't remember the Act Retro but I do remember that it was definitely an offence.

[dannyk13]

ummm, the width of the pavement is irrelevant, the obstruction is that pedestrians cannot use that part of the pavement.

[hc4361]

danny, parking on the pavement and obstructing pedestrians is not an offence in itself:

1.3 We must remain cognisant of the fact that in some built up urban areas if
vehicles were not parked on the pavement some emergency vehicles would not get
through. Essentially a situational and contextual approach is necessary.
Keyword: CONTEXT/ROAD LAYOUT
1.4 If a wheelchair user or a mother with a double buggy cannot get through on
the pavement and have to use the road to pass by, then consider offences of
obstruction. But we need to adopt a far more pragmatic and diplomatic approach to
these concerns. Keyword: DISCRETION

http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk/documents/s63157/Evidence%20-%20Police.pdf

[ummmm]

Why do pedestrians need to use every inch of the pavement? As long as there is room for people walking abreast to pass.

[dannyk13]

HC, I agree that it is not an offence per se, that is why offenders were charged with obstruction.

[jomifl]

As hc said, the primary concern must be clear access for emergency vehicles. Pedestrian right to access to every part of the pavement is nonsense.

[Mamyalynne]

There has long been a push for a full ban on pavement parking but it is down to each individual Council to enforce using parts of the act to enable them to restrict it - the debate goes on.


http://tinyurl.com/zohv6l8

[dannyk13]

I can only go by what was force policy in my days as a police officer.

[hc4361]

As long as a pedestrian can pass on the pavement whether they are walking solo, pushing a pram, using a wheelchair or any other scenario there is no obstruction.

Obstructing the flow of traffic is the more serious offence.

[Mamyalynne]

Duff link , try again.

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/user/My%20Documents/Downloads/SN01170%20(1).pdf

[Mamyalynne]

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmtran/writev/parking/m01.htm

[Mamyalynne]

As long as I can easily get past the vehicle I don't complain much but over years it does cause damage to kerbs etc which brings problems of its own for those on foot.

[dannyk13]

HC, so all the motorists I reported were illegally convicted?

[hc4361]

I don't know, danny. Were they?