Pavement parking 'a daily problem' as officials push ahead with ban

Alex is wearing dark glasses and a dark cap. He is wearing a pink shirt, purple velvet jacket and grey check trousers. Alex is standing on Main Street with his golden guide dog Angus next to him. Angus has a sign on his lead which says he is a working guide dog. They are standing next to a street planer with foliage. There are cars parked in the background, lampposts and shops in the distance.

Alex Patterson wants greater enforcement of motorists parking on pavements

Maria McCann
BBC News NI north east reporter

A man with a visual impairment has said he is "so angry" cars regularly park on pavements affecting his and other pedestrians' safety.

Alex Patterson, from Ballymoney, County Antrim, began losing his sight 15 years ago and said vehicles parked on footpaths were "a daily problem", adding: "There needs to be more thought for people with disabilities or people with buggies."

It comes as Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced that her department was bringing forward laws to tackle "inconsiderate" pavement parking.

Kimmins said on Wednesday she would ban people parking wholly on pavements, across pavements with dropped kerbs used for pedestrian access and double parking.

The wheels of a black van are photographed parked on the pavement which includes tactile pavings at a crossing on Main Street. Most of the vehicle is on the path with only its left wheels on the road.

A van parked on the pavement tactiles used by the visually impaired on Main Street in Ballymoney

She said "too many drivers fail to realise the consequences of their actions when their vehicle blocks the footway".

Pavement parking is banned in London and parts of Scotland.

A new campaign has been launched by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to raise awareness of the barriers pavement parking cause.

Mr Patterson has a guide dog to help him navigate public spaces and he said there was "not much thought given" for people who need footpaths kept clear.

"There may only be two guide dogs at present in Ballymoney but there are lots of prams, there's an older generation," he said.

He said there needs to be greater enforcement by authorities and more awareness by motorists, adding he was hoping people, businesses and those doing building work would give a "little more thought" to where they are parking.

Riley has green tinted hair. He is wearing glasses and has stubble. Riley is wearing a navy top and a black zip up jacket. He has a tattoo on his neck. He is smiling. The street behind him is out of focus.

Riley McCahon said members of the Causeway Coast and Glens Equality Forum frequently raise issues with pavement parking

Riley McCahon, chair of the Causeway Coast and Glens Equality Forum, said many members reported similar complaints.

"These cars are causing a hazard because people are having to go on to the road and a lot of the time there isn't an appropriate kerb, so if you have a wheelchair you're going to get stuck," he said.

"It's a health and safety risk for everyone."

Mr McCahon has six children and said he had faced obstacles with prams over the years.

"It's just a nightmare. It's not safe at all," he said.

"We think it is that people just don't understand the impact... we just want to educate people."

Councillor Cara McShane is standing outside Ballymoney town hall which is out of focus. She is wearing a tan blazer and white tee-shirt. Cara is wearing glasses and has long light brown hair. She is smiling.

Cara McShane brought the motion to council, which is now launching a campaign to highlight the issue

Cara McShane, a councillor and the council's diversity ambassador, said she wanted to "amplify that voice for people" and encourage motorists to be more respectful about where they park.

She said there were "barriers and challenges" for people who had mobility aids, people who are wheelchair users and carers, because "they're forced on to the main road".

"Essentially it puts people's lives in danger and sometimes we're not very cognisant of that."

Ms McShane said while local government did not have enforcement powers, it did have the opportunity to raise the issue in the hope motorists could be more responsible and respectful.

The council's mayor Oliver McMullan is standing at the top of Main Street in Ballymoney. The sky is grey and cloudy. Oliver is wearing his mayoral gold chain. He is wearing a check navy shirt and a green coat. He has grey hair, a moustache and is wearing glasses.

"The footpath is for walking on, not parking on" - Mayor Oliver McMullan

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council mayor Oliver McMullan said it was "very important" for the council to highlight the issue.

"It impairs people who have sight impairment, hearing and mobility issues," he said.

"The footpath is for walking on, not parking on... it's very dangerous because it forces people on to the road."

Mr McMullan said he hoped the council's campaign would remind drivers where they should and should not park.

What are the rules on pavement parking?

Where parking restrictions are marked on the road, such as yellow lines, those restrictions also apply to the pavement - meaning parking tickets can be issued.

Vehicles parked on a footpath that are causing an obstruction can be dealt with by police, according to the NI Direct website.

In 2023, the Department for Infrastructure introduced a ban on pavement parking in some specific locations such as footpaths beside bus or cycle lanes.

However, on Wednesday, the minister said new legislation was being brought forward that would ban parking wholly, with four wheels, on a pavement as well as parking across dropped kerbs and double parking.

Liz Kimmins said parking fully on a pavement "causes serious and often dangerous barriers for pedestrians" and was a safety risk "particularly for people with disabilities, older people, children and people pushing prams".

She said the new laws would complement existing legislation and schemes such as the "think before you park" initiative.

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