MOTORISTS in North West Leicestershire are being asked to think about where they park after figures revealed 50 per cent of drivers admitted parking on pavements.
Inconsiderate parking in places such as Ashby High Street forces pedestrians onto the road and into the path of vehicles, it is claimed
To tackle the problem, a campaign being supported by The Royal National Institute of Blind People, Leicestershire Police, The Guide Dogs Association and North West Leicestershire District Council is being launched.
It is hoped that raising awareness about the dangers of pavement parking faced by pedestrians will result in fewer people parking irresponsibly.
Alison Smith, deputy leader of the district council, said: “This inconsiderate parking is a major barrier for people with visual or mobility impairments, wheelchair or mobility scooter users, families with pushchairs and cyclists.
“We hope, through our awareness raising campaign, people will think twice before parking on our pavements and consider pedestrians.”
Many of the drivers who admitted they parked on pavements said they didn’t think of the danger they posed to people with sight loss, according to a survey commissioned by the Guide Dogs Association.
Inspector Chris Brown, commander of North West Leicestershire Local Policing Unit, said: “This campaign is about educating motorists to think about others when they park their vehicles and to be aware of the problems they can cause if they park on the pavement.
“I really welcome this campaign because, by working together, we can improve the situation for people with disabilities and people with pushchairs and encourage motorists to consider them when parking.”
The news comes after the Mail revealed Ashby was named in the nation’s top 10 worst places for ‘street clutter’— making it increasingly hazardous for people with sight loss to negotiate.
