Cars daubed with paint in pavement parking backlash

Drivers who parked their cars on a pavement in Manchester earlier this month had their vehicles daubed with the word ‘move’ and some had windows smashed.

Clearly such behaviour is criminal, but perhaps it was inevitable that the issue of pavement parking would eventually reach such a flash point. Elsewhere, pedestrians forced into the road because of anti-social parking by drivers left graffiti of a more benign nature by writing messages on snow-covered windscreens.

How can you stop pavement parking?

We’ve lost count of the number of pavement parking consultations over the years, but the most recent one confirmed those most at risk were people with visual impairments; people who use mobility aids, including guide dogs, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters; young children and people with prams and pushchairs.

We know what doesn’t work. The fact that pavement parking causes such major inconvenience and potential danger to the vulnerable users mentioned above doesn’t stop it. The fact that it’s illegal in London doesn’t have much effect either. Even the punctured tyres threatened by a device like the catclaw isn’t enough to dissuade pavement parking.

New York thinks it might have the answer. Folk frustrated by the inconvenience and danger caused by pavement parking will be paid the equivalent of £35 every time they successfully report pavement parking or an obstructed cycle lane under plans being drawn up by the city’s council.

We think the bounty hunter approach traffic law enforcement is interesting, but the solution to pavement parking isn’t endless consultations, public information campaigns or silly gimmicks, it’s a simple change to the law to allow local authorities to enforce the obvious: Pavements are for people.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover  and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.