Motorists in Worcester are being actively encouraged to report on other drivers and even take photographic evidence of a specific parking offence that is causing significant concern.
Councillors Call for Public Action on Pavement Parking
Councillors Andrew Cross and Katie Collier in Worcester are calling on drivers to take matters into their own hands. They suggest that members of the public should contact both the police and their local representatives if they observe vehicles parked on pavements.
In a significant escalation of their campaign, they have also urged people to take pictures of drivers who take up space on the pavement, effectively creating a community-led enforcement effort.
Why Pavement Parking is 'Not a Victimless Problem'
Councillor Collier, who represents the Leopard Hill ward for Worcester City Council, was clear that this issue is serious. She described pavement parking as "a blight" and clarified that it is far from a victimless act.
"Every car parked on a pavement pushes someone else into the road," she stated, highlighting the direct danger posed to a person with a disability, a parent with a buggy, a child on a bike, [or] an older neighbour with a stick.
The Green Party, which Councillor Collier represents, further explained the current enforcement gap. They noted that police typically only intervene if access for emergency vehicles is blocked or a driveway is obstructed. For general pavement parking, the police refer people to the local council.
The party also pointed out that Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which are needed to formally ban pavement parking, are costly and time-consuming for county councils to introduce, making widespread official enforcement difficult.
Government Review and Public Support for a Ban
The situation in Worcester reflects a wider national debate. A spokesperson for the Labour Party's Department for Transport previously said: “Our priority is to make it as easy and accessible as possible for everyone to get around, and we recognise the problems pavement parking can cause for people across the country.”
The spokesperson confirmed that the government has commissioned new research to better understand the impact of pavement parking and will continue to review the issue nationwide.
This statement aligns with significant public sentiment. A recent RAC survey revealed that 42% of participating drivers support an outright ban on pavement parking across England. A further 41% wanted councils to be given tougher powers to easily prohibit the practice on specific roads.
