Parking on pavements impacting disabled and people with prams PSNI in Derry warns
Police in Derry have urged motorists to consider the impact parking on pavements has on pedestrians including wheelchair users and others with mobility issues, blind people and those with children in prams.
Police highlighted the issue after it was raised during a meeting organised by the North West Road Safety partnership.
"One of the issues which was raised was parking, particularly in the city centre and the impact this is having on wheelchair users, those with mobility issues or with prams and those who have a visual impairment,” a PSNI spokesperson said, adding:
“Drivers continue to park on double yellow lines, on footpaths, over dropped kerbs and even at junctions. Frustratingly footpaths which were widened for pedestrian use are now being used as parking spaces meaning vulnerable people having to make there way along roads as they cannot access the footpaths.”
“We had no sooner left the meeting today when we came across a clamped vehicle being recovered. This vehicle was parked at a junction on double yellow lines and had done this so often it had resulted in a large outstanding fine.
“Keep pavements and dropped kerbs clear, they are for pedestrian access not for cars. Don't park on double yellow lines, loading bays or cause an obstruction.
Obstructing footpaths can lead to a fixed penalty notice or in some cases the vehicle may be removed at the owners expense, police warned.