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Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced plans to bring forward legislation that will ban inconsiderate pavement parking across the north, with new rules prohibiting parking wholly on pavements, blocking dropped kerbs and double parking.
The Minister said inconsiderate pavement parking has a significant adverse impact in many areas across the north, with too many drivers failing to realise the consequences of their actions when their vehicle blocks the footway. "A vehicle parked fully on a pavement creates serious and often dangerous barriers for pedestrians, forcing people to step out onto the road into oncoming traffic. This poses a safety risk particularly for people with disabilities, older people, children and people pushing prams," she said.
Councillor Kimmins confirmed her department has been exploring a number of options to address the problem and that she is pleased to confirm she intends to bring forward legislation which will ban parking wholly on a pavement, parking across dropped kerbs for pedestrian access and double parking. She said this will complement steps already taken to address inconsiderate pavement parking, including introducing legislation to prohibit parking on footways alongside bus lanes, bus stops, mandatory cycle lanes and mandatory 'School Keep Clear' markings, as well as encouraging parking compliance through the promotion of the 'think before you park' initiative.
Officials will now take forward work to develop the necessary secondary legislation to introduce the new measures. The Minister reminded all drivers of the importance of parking responsibly and legally and to consider the potential negative impact of their actions on other road, footway and cycle lane users.
The Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) Chairperson Terry McCorry welcomed the announcement, saying inconsiderate parking on the pavement and the blocking of dropped kerbs create hazards for disabled people and others that prevent day to day journeys. "IMTAC very much welcomes the changes announced by Minister Kimmins today as a significant step forward in tackling the issue. We will continue to work with the Minister to identify what else can be done to eradicate this anti-social behaviour," he said.
The new legislation is aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and tackling the ongoing problem of vehicles blocking footways and creating dangerous obstacles for vulnerable road users.
