Pavement parkers in the sights

I WRITE as a supporter of Living Streets, the national charity that stands up for pedestrians.

With car ownership levels showing no sign of diminishing, the issue of pavement parking will not go away. I am writing to highlight the persistent problem of cars being parked on pavements and the concern that authorities just turn a blind eye.

This is a major issue in Cambridgeshire and surrounding rural areas, because it causes road safety problems by forcing vulnerable pedestrians into the road.

It can inhibit the independence of those with reduced levels of mobility, and is particularly dangerous for older people, for families with pushchairs and for those with visual impairments.

Pavement parking can also damage pavements, creating trip hazards for pedestrians, and costing local authorities – and therefore all of us – significant amounts of money in maintenance and repairs.

A person local to me had reason to complain to the police about a car parked on the pavement recently and, when the officer attended the scene, which was at about 11.30pm, no action was taken because the officer decided that there was sufficient room for a pedestrian to pass. So we now have police officers who are experts in gap-detection. Such a great pity that they do not seem able to use the laws already in place to deal with this situation.

I want to see the council and police take action to enforce pavement parking more effectively. I also encourage everyone in Cambridgeshire to consider the needs of others when parking.

M J COLES

The Cottage

Woodwalton