People that park their cars on pavements.....

earthstorm

goater78 wrote: »

They don't.

yes they do. i suggest you contact your local authority parking enforcement officers and you will see that ALL duties that were once carried out by Traffic Wardens are now carried out by them.

Azari

lazer wrote: »

Why do we not just allow common sense to prevail - parking on pavements is fine as long as they aren't causing an obstruction - both drivers and pedistrians need to take all reasonable steps to avoid annoying other users of the roads and footpaths.

I'd agree with that.

In fact, in some places councils paint lines on the pavement to show the limit to which cars can encroach.

The annoying people are:

1) Those who choose to park on the pavement when everyone else on the same stretch of road has parked perfectly properly, entirely on the road.

2) People who seem to think that if the drive up onto the pavement so that they only have a couple off feet of one side on double yellows that will somehow protect them from getting ticketed.

3) (Obviously) People who encroach so far onto the pavement that they cause other users to have to walk into the road. (Which, BTW, is always an offence and one the police will act on, despite what dear old Goater thinks. )

shaun_from_Africa

3) (Obviously) People who encroach so far onto the pavement that they cause other users to have to walk into the road. (Which, BTW, is always an offence and one the police will act on, despite what dear old Goater thinks. )

Providing of course, that there are still police officers patrolling the area in question.
When I bought the house I now live in, it was fairly common to see pairs of officers walking around the local area, but a couple of years ago, the local police station closed down and the nearest one is now a fair few miles away so seeing any police around here is extremely rare.

As to pavement parking, my local police have clearly stated that in general, this is not illegal provided an obstruction isn't caused and a local bylaw hasn't been enacted.

Q387: Can I park on the pavement?
Local authorities (in England) can make an order prohibiting parking on the pavement. If this is the case, then there will be signs which clearly point out on a particular road where parking on the pavement is specifically prohibited. The penalty for contravening this will be a fixed penalty notice.
Otherwise, parking a vehicle on the pavement could lead to an offence of obstruction being committed. This could result in a fixed penalty notice being issued to offending vehicles. It can also cause danger/nuisance for pedestrians and wheelchairs users.

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q387.htm

Azari

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Azari wrote: »

3) (Obviously) People who encroach so far onto the pavement that they cause other users to have to walk into the road. (Which, BTW, is always an offence and one the police will act on, despite what dear old Goater thinks. )

As to pavement parking, my local police have clearly stated that in general, this is not illegal provided an obstruction isn't caused and a local bylaw hasn't been enacted.

It doesn't really need the police to state it, it's a matter of law.

However, as I specifically made clear, I was talking about parking that forced other users onto the road which is pretty much the definition of an obstruction.

And when this happens you can call the police to deal with it. (They may not always be able to respond immediately, of course.)

System

Azari wrote: »

I'd agree with that.

In fact, in some places councils paint lines on the pavement to show the limit to which cars can encroach.

The annoying people are:

1) Those who choose to park on the pavement when everyone else on the same stretch of road has parked perfectly properly, entirely on the road.

2) People who seem to think that if the drive up onto the pavement so that they only have a couple off feet of one side on double yellows that will somehow protect them from getting ticketed.

3) (Obviously) People who encroach so far onto the pavement that they cause other users to have to walk into the road. (Which, BTW, is always an offence and one the police will act on, despite what dear old Goater thinks. )

Ah I've missed you Azari. Back to the strawman arguments. I never said the police would not act on obstruction. I said police would not act on a car being parked where it's wheels are on the pavement. Which they won't do (unless in London/Exeter or signs are in place)

Still don't let the facts get in the way of your posts

shaun_from_Africa

Azari wrote: »

It doesn't really need the police to state it, it's a matter of law.

I realise that, but my point was just referring to your comment that:

Which, BTW, is always an offence and one the police
will act on

In an ideal world, one in which they have the resources to respond to every call to them they might well act every time, but unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world.
There are always vehicles causing an obstruction on the pavements around here as my neighbour keeps pointing out to me whenever we talk.
He is well over 80 years old and needs a buggy to get around and the pavements in the area are more often than not, totally blocked due to inconsiderate ****s parking on them.
He has called the police on many occasions, and as far as I'm aware, they have never once turned up and done anything about the vehicles concerned.

This isn't an anti-police rant as I know it's not their fault that the local station was closed down (all that is left is a telephone that you can use to call the nearest manned police station).

Azari

goater78 wrote: »

Back to the strawman arguments. I never said the police would not act on obstruction. I said police would not act on a car being parked where it's wheels are on the pavement. Which they won't do (unless in London/Exeter or signs are in place)

Nope, you said:

goater78 wrote: »

No I am saying the police don't take it as a serious breach of a law.

For the police not to take it as a serious breach of a law it must be a breach in the first place so you very clearly are saying the police will not enforce it.

And you are wrong.

Azari

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

In an ideal world, one in which they have the resources to respond to every call to them they might well act every time, but unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world.
There are always vehicles causing an obstruction on the pavements around here as my neighbour keeps pointing out to me whenever we talk.
He is well over 80 years old and needs a buggy to get around and the pavements in the area are more often than not, totally blocked due to inconsiderate ****s parking on them.
He has called the police on many occasions, and as far as I'm aware, they have never once turned up and done anything about the vehicles concerned.

I said the police will act - not that they would always act or act instantly. What I was saying is that it is untrue to say they will not act.

With the police it is often necessary to keep on at them, and possibly get others involved.

If someone is obstructing a disabled person by causing an obstruction, the police need to be informed each time it happens. If they do not do anything, then you (or the gentleman in question) should involve the local councillors and your MP.

Many time people just give up on getting things done by 'the authorities' when all that is happening is that said authorities are prioritising their activities based on the perceived importance of the task based on what they are hearing from the public.

If all your friend does is complain to you, nothing is going to get done (unless, of course, you take up the matter on his behalf and keep on at the relevant authorities).

shaun_from_Africa

Azari wrote: »

I said the police will act - not that they would always act or act instantly. What I was saying is that it is untrue to say they will not act.

I'm sorry Azari, but that comment above is simply wrong.
How can you possibly know what the police will do in every single force around the country?
It is a fact (and not my opinion), that despite my neighbour calling the police on numerous occasions, they have never once turned up to do anything about the blocked pavements.

If someone is obstructing a disabled person by causing an obstruction, the police need to be informed each time it happens

He does call them each time, and I have also called then a couple of times myself.

If all your friend does is complain to you, nothing is going to get done

I have already stated that he has called the police on numerous occasions.

Azari

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

I'm sorry Azari, but that comment above is simply wrong.
How can you possibly know what the police will do in every single force around the country?

You still haven't got the point.

To say the police will not act is wrong because some police have acted and do act. Thus the police will act.

As I said, not always and not immediately, and not in all circumstances. But, overall, it is not true to say the police will not act because they will.

It is a fact (and not my opinion), that despite my neighbour calling the police on numerous occasions, they have never once turned up to do anything about the blocked pavements.

He does call them each time, and I have also called then a couple of times myself.

I have already stated that he has called the police on numerous occasions.

Time to rack up the pressure, then.

You can and should do the following:

1) Contact your councillors - local and county.
2) Contact your MP.
3) Encourage the neighbours to make calls when it happens
4) Get the local press involved.