IN response to the letter headlined ‘worse than ever’ which appeared on the letters page on July 21, I have considerable sympathy with the writer, who complains about the on pavement parking by some inconsiderate motorists, especially where roads are wide enough to accommodate parking on the roadway.

These inconsiderate motorists seemingly could not care less about the infirm, wheelchair bound, blind, elderly, parent with pram or children.

All they must care about is themselves.

Usually it is because they do not want the offside wing mirror being damaged by passing vehicles, but when parking on the pavement they never think of turning the near side wing mirror inwards to avoid injury to pedestrians.

While it is not illegal to park on a pavement, it is illegal to drive on a pavement except when crossing it to gain access to one’s driveway.

The police however seem to take the view that unless there is a witness to the act of driving then it is impossible for them to know who is the correct person to prosecute.

The only time they will seemingly intervene is if the vehicle has obstructed the pavement.

A typical example is when a vehicle prevents access to a driveway but they are seemingly less keen to become involved when a vehicle obstructs the use of the pavement by a pedestrian.

Local authorities can create a by-law to prevent parking on pavements either in general or on specific streets and it is then the responsibility of the local authority to enforce it and issue fixed penalty notices.

From what the writer says it appears that Glebe Street and Gordon Street were made non pavement parking areas by Wigan Council.

If this is correct then it is up to the authority to enforce it and it is the responsibility of the authority parking enforcement officers to issue FPNs and not the police.

The writer needs to make sure that the streets have been designated as non parking on pavement areas and then continue to challenge the authority to resolve the problem.

I walked along Gordon Street a year or so ago and was impressed that vehicle owners seemed to be so considerate of pedestrians because not a single vehicle was parked on a pavement.

I thought ‘why can’t all drivers be so considerate and all streets be such a pleasure to walk along?’.

I am now sorry to learn that it was not consideration of others which brought about vehicle-free pavements in the area.

It seems that some drivers just try to get away with whatever they can unless the authority is willing to commit to improving the pedestrians’ lot.

Something needs to be done because it is becoming more often that the pedestrian has to walk into the road to pass around vehicles parked on pavements. Positively dangerous for the infirm and parents with children.

Rule 244 of the Highway Code 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.”

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