Pavement parking causing nightmares for those with vision problems

7:20am Monday 28th January 2013 in Local

A SHOCKING 59 per cent of drivers in the West Midlands admit they park on the pavement, but many of them don’t think about the danger they pose to people with sight loss, according to a survey.

Guide Dogs believes this thoughtless behaviour is making areas in the West Midlands no go areas for blind and partially sighted people and can undermine the life-changing freedom offered by a guide dog partnership. Guide Dogs wants to see councils in England use their powers to ban pavement parking and make our streets safer for everyone.

A total of 44 per cent of drivers in the West Midlands who park on the pavement haven’t thought about the possible negative impact on blind or partially sighted people.

The YouGov poll commissioned by Guide Dogs also shows that many pavement parkers in the West Midlands also haven’t thought about the possible risk they pose to other vulnerable road users like the elderly (48%), and adults with prams (30%).

Terry Smith, engagement manager for Guide Dogs Coventry Mobility Team, said: “Cars parked on pavements are an everyday nightmare for blind and partially sighted people, as well as other vulnerable pedestrians. Imagine how terrifying it is to step into a road when you can’t see on-coming traffic.

“Too often people with sight loss are forced out into busy roads because an inconsiderate motorist has blocked the pavement. It’s an unwanted barrier to the freedom and independence a guide dog brings. Councils in the West Midlands have the tools to penalise drivers who park on pavements and Guide Dogs want them to act now.”

Comments(13)

MrWXYZ says...
7:27am Mon 28 Jan 13

it can be a hinderance to any footpath user - especially wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs.
I hope the councilor who moaned about people turning their gardens into driveways reads this

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Iain Leav says...
9:19am Mon 28 Jan 13

Bromsgrove town centre and the Worcester Road particularly bad for this, the same cars and the same advertising boards blocking off big areas of pavement. While I'm fortunate enough to have good sight I too have had to navigate a wheelchair around this, often having to venue into the road and then try to it get back up the kerb after the obstruction. I've even seen drivers in the Worcester Road park on the pavement when there are free, empty parking bays opposite.


I do wish drivers and business' would operate with a bit more though for others or that the council could do something about these obstructions or at least police this pavement parking more effectively.

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Kieron's left foot says...
12:50pm Mon 28 Jan 13

Just walk round them or propel yourself round them. Cant be that difficult

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Hwicce says...
2:47pm Mon 28 Jan 13

Worcester City Council can't even be bothered to enfore people parking on double yellow lines.

They are not going to bother with pavement parking, they are just too weak and ineffective.

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MrWXYZ says...
4:18pm Mon 28 Jan 13

Kieron's left foot wrote:
Just walk round them or propel yourself round them. Cant be that difficult
So you think it can't be that difficult to get a wheel chair down a curb in between cars, go round a car in the road and then back up the curb?!

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MulsanneChap says...
6:41pm Mon 28 Jan 13

Parking on pavements can be a nuisance and even a danger, but perhaps Guide Dogs would like to do some research first before apportioning responsibility for enforcement on councils.

The Police are responsible, but only if a vehicle is parked on the pavement in a way which prevents progress. Otherwise there is nothing they can do while it is not technically an offence to park on a pavement, but it is to drive along a pavement, which you need to do to park on a pavement.

It is only a council's responsibility if powers have been passed to them from the Police to enforce parking where yellow lines exist, which would include pavement parking. The Police are still responsible where no yellow lines exist.

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Biggles says...
12:13am Tue 29 Jan 13

This used to be considered very bad manners years ago, and you'd be very likely to get a ticket.
.
Not now sadly, nobody cares, it has almost become the norm.
.
Even my own wife and daughter think it is acceptable, and I get told to shut up !

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one94 says...
8:52am Tue 29 Jan 13

"..making areas in the West Midlands no go areas for blind and partially sighted people" Really..? you make it sound lie Beirut in the 70s!

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Kieron's left foot says...
3:03pm Tue 29 Jan 13

Sure do

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turkishdelighttwo says...
7:32pm Tue 29 Jan 13

our road is a nightmare, sometimes i can`t even get on my drive. i have been in touch with the council and the police but same response from both, nothing we can do..
you can`t even walk down our street unless you walk on the road. The cars are so far parked on the pavement that you cant walk passed it never mind with a pushchair or wheelchair. My mom has an electric scooter but she won`t go out on it because of having to ride it on the road. I have asked the council and the police to explain to me why when i wanted to use my driveway i was told we had to pay£800 for the dropped curb, otherwise i was breaking the law, so why did i have to pay it when nearly everyone in the street parks and mounts the pavement every day and nothing is done. it would be good if someone could explain why this is the case.
i have even give the police photos of the cars blocking the whole of the path and a lady with a pushchair not able to get past...i wish i knew who does deal with parking problems as i would like to
speak with them

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Kieron's left foot says...
8:35am Wed 30 Jan 13

I'd rather the cars were parked on the pavements rather than having to face the electro wheelchair menace that blights the pedestrianised zones of our land.

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turkishdelighttwo says...
11:07pm Wed 30 Jan 13

im sure you wouldnt feel the same if you were on a mobility scooter. these people cant walk im sure they wish the could.

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Kieron's left foot says...
9:33am Thu 31 Jan 13

Nothing to do with not being able to walk, more their inability to drive

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