Council campaign to curb pavement parking

12.31.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Apr 2007

A fresh bid to stop parking on pavements will be launched by Richmond Council on Monday, 23 April, with a new campaign urging motorists to be considerate.

While many drivers may think they are being helpful by pulling onto the kerb, the awareness campaign will highlight the dangers it causes, obstructing elderly and disabled pedestrians and people with pushchairs. A publicity drive will remind people that pavement parking can attract a fixed penalty of £80, except where exemptions apply. The practice can also cause damage to the borough's pavements and hinders street cleaning. The same rules apply to delivery drivers, contractors and motorists who are making deliveries.

Cllr David Trigg, Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking, said:

"We recognise that some locations in the borough are particularly tight for parking and that drivers who pull onto the kerb may be thinking of other road users. However, their actions can have dangerous results for vulnerable pedestrians such as the elderly, disabled, blind or partially-sighted people, who may be forced into the road. The cost of repairing cracked kerbs and pavements is also significant. There are a minority of drivers who blatantly flout the rules and this is dangerous and irresponsible. So I urge all motorists to be considerate and stop parking on pavements unless signs indicate that you can do so."