THE four political parties on Cheshire County Council – Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Independent – have joined forces to ask drivers across the county to think sensibly and not to park on pavements.
The issue was first raised last month by Liberal Democrat Group Leader Sue Proctor who believes that all – party support shows the seriousness of the problem.
“This problem causes nightmare situations for people with disabilities and families with buggies” said County Councillor Proctor.
“Only the other day I was driving to an appointment in a built up residential area and lost count of the number of cars parked on pavements.
“Damaged pavements result in falls and injuries and for frail, elderly people such accidents can be life-threatening.
“It must also be remembered that all those damaged kerbs – and in some instances York stone - must be repaired, paid for by Council Tax payers,” she added.
Executive Member for Highways and Transportation Conservative County Councillor Eveleigh Moore-Dutton said: “Christmas is only around the corner so perhaps this is the right time of year in the season of good will to think when visiting family, relatives or friends and don’t park on the pavement.
“Damaged footways can create trip hazards and falls can create pain, misery and disability.
“Lets all think twice about where we park and reduce the hazards to our fellow citizens.
“Just think how people using the pavement are either forced to squeeze past your vehicle or forced onto the road to get passed.”
Labour’s Transportation spokesman Peter Byrne said: “From what I see when travelling around the county – and indeed closer to home – parking on pavements seems a growing problem.
“It causes risks to people with disabilities and mums and dads pushing child buggies. Why should they be forced into what could be a dangerous situation just because a driver has selfishly parked on the pavement?”
Independent Environment spokesman Arthur Moran said: “In town centres you invariably find that there is always parking on pavements where there are take away food shops.
“And in the older housing estates where the pavements are wide I have found not two wheels but a whole car parked on the pavement. This has got to stop.”
