New powers to help pedestrians

Release Date:  05-Feb-2010

Drivers could face a parking ticket from March if they park across a dropped kerb, therefore blocking the way for pedestrians crossing the road.

Bristol City Council will take up powers introduced by the Department for Transport in 2008 that have since been taken up by many local authorities around the country.

The Council proposes to enforce only when vehicles are parked across dropped kerbs on a corner or at a clearly marked area for crossing. Enforcement will not be carried out where there are legitimate reasons to park such as deliveries, emergency services and waste collection.

Cllr Jon Rogers, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability said: “Dropped kerbs are there for a purpose - to help pedestrians safely cross our roads. This is especially true for the elderly, disabled or parents with prams who rely even more on them for safe crossing. It can therefore be very frustrating to find a car parked across them leaving the pedestrian no choice but to cross off a higher kerb.

‘”We will take a common sense approach. All enforcement will be discretionary and our civil enforcement officers will have full training. They will be instructed to concentrate on cars parked on corners or blocking clearly marked crossing points.”
 

Author:  James Easey, Service Manager Media, 0117 9223332

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