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
