Over the past couple of weeks I've been contacted by several residents expressing their frustration and concerns about careless parking on public footpaths in a number of locations. Reports suggest that in some places pedestrians and users of mobility scooters and pushchairs are forced to go onto the highway to get past vehicles that have been parked entirely across the pavement.
I've raised these concerns with the authorities on every occasion I've been contacted by residents. In response I've received a note from the county council (which acts as the highways authority) clarifying responsibility for dealing with parked vehicles causing an obstruction:
As a highway
authority we have a duty to protect and assert the right of all members of the
public to use the highway. Therefore provided a vehicle is taxed, tested and
insured, it is legally entitled to park on the public highway provided it is
not causing any obstruction.
With regards to the obstruction of the Footpath, the legislation that allows
the Council to issue notices to vehicles contravening parking restrictions
excludes us from being able to enforce offences such as dangerous parking and
obstruction. The power to enforce these offences lies with Durham Constabulary
and consequently enforcement action may only be undertaken by a Police Officer.
Therefore on this occasion the vehicle that is parked causing an obstruction
offence should be reported directly to Durham Constabulary using the
non-emergency telephone number ‘101’. Alternatively if the vehicle is a Heavy
Goods Vehicle, this should be reported to the traffic commissioner on telephone
number 0800 030 4103.
I'll continue to relay residents' concerns to the authorities whenever they get in touch with me, but I'm sure the overwhelming majority of residents would agree that the problem could be resolved in most cases if drivers chose to park their vehicles with more consideration for others.
If you have concerns about obstructive parking in your neighbourhood please get in touch with the police using the contact details shown above. Or if you prefer you could let me know and I'll report it on your behalf: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk