Thursday, January 24, 2008

VERGING ON THE RIDICULOUS

A reader has asked us to highlight the thorny topic of motorists parking vehicles on pavements and grass verges, in and around Brigg.
J A Mumby says: "At times, vehicles park wholly on the pavement/verge - or so far on to make pedestrian access impossible."
"The 'ornamental' verges between the Leisure Centre and Silversides Lane have all but been destroyed by vehicles being parked on them, and the verge from the army cadets' building to the bridge is also badly affected. This is one of the main entries to Brigg and does not set a good impression."
Our upset resident has visited North Lincolnshire Council's website to discover the policy on this issue, and has downloaded the following information:
What action may be taken against pavement parking?
"If there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the pavement then a Fixed Penalty Notice may be issued by a traffic warden or police officer. This is because a vehicle parked in this manner is in contravention of the traffic order. Waiting restrictions cover the highway from centre of highway to the back of the footpath.
"If there are no waiting restrictions on the highway then a Fixed Penalty Notice may still be issued by a traffic warden or police officer for obstruction."
Obviously causing an obstruction, vehicles parked on pavements are a hazard to pedestrians, and may result in them having to step off the pavement onto the highway, putting them in danger.
Such vehicles also restrict the width of the pavement, making it difficult for someone with a pushchair, or wheelchair, to pass safely.
There is also the question of the damage caused by driving on and off the pavement, such as broken flagstones.
I'm sure most of us in Brigg encounter vehicles parked wholly, or partially, on the pavement and grass verges. What's doubly annoying is vehicles which shouldn't be in the pedestrianised town centre in the first place trundling over the York stone paving.

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