Council trial to fine drivers who park on pavements

People living with sight loss are particularly vulnerable to injury from pavement obstructions, say campaigners

Motorists who park on pavements in parts of Swindon will soon face being fined.

Swindon Borough Council is introducing a trial ban on pavement parking, following on-going concerns from residents.

Councillors have until the end of August to suggest areas of the Wiltshire town where there have been complaints about the issue.

"Temporary orders will then enable traffic wardens to issue tickets for pavement parking, something which has previously been confined to the police," said Chris Watts, cabinet member for the environment and transport.

Pavement parking can be hazardous for wheelchair users, people with pushchairs, elderly residents and people living with visual impairment.

It is already banned in London, Edinburgh, and most recently, during waste collection times in Portishead, Somerset.

Campaigners and the Local Government Association have called for councils to be given extra powers to address the issue.

Chris Watts said Swindon Borough Council is making a stand against pavement parking

The Guide Dogs charity has warned blind pedestrians "take their lives into their own hands" every time a blocked footpath forces them to walk in the road.

Alan Fletcher, from Stratton, who has been registered blind since 2005, said the problem was particularly bad in his neighbourhood.

"Being blind, I have walked into cars and fallen off pavements, and if I have to go around a car, it means walking on the road and that makes it dangerous for me.

"I think it (the trial) is a really good start and we need to get it out in Swindon as quickly as we can," he told BBC Wiltshire.

Alan Fletcher said pavement parking was particularly hazardous when he was forced into the road to get round the obstruction

The trial starts in the autumn, and if successful, there will be a wider roll out across Swindon next year.