Philip calls for council to act on pavement parking

A VISUALLY-impaired Birmingham man has condemned pavement parking and the danger it poses for disabled people and parents with buggies as he repeated calls for a full ban.

- JANE HAYNES News Reporter

Philip Mills, from Moseley, and his guide dog attended a full Birmingham Council meeting to press his call for a pavement parking ban 'with teeth'.

He said the issue posed a danger to pedestrians with sight loss, wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs. They were 'forced into the road or prevented from getting about safely."

The city council confirmed it had some powers under a citywide traffic regulation order to impose fines for pavement parking, but only when properly signposted, street by street.

The Government is mulling over a nationwide ban on pavement parking, which could see those flouting the rules hit with penalties.

Mr Mills told the meeting: "Dangerous parking, including on pavements and junctions, is a danger. When it is reported to the police, they direct people to the council, and the council directs them to the police."