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Footway parking

Parking on the footway is illegal, inconsiderate, damaging and potentially dangerous. Yet it is common in many places where there is little effort to prevent it, as illustrated here. Vehicles parked and driving on footways suggests an attitude that vehicles are more important than people, not only amongst the perpetrators, but also those who tolerate this behaviour.

In London there is a specific law against footway parking, and it is relatively rare. But here is an example from Limehouse Fields, Tower Hamlets, in 2006.

In London there is a specific law a…

Obstruction of a busy pedestrian route to Balham station, south London, December 2011.

Obstruction of a busy pedestrian ro…

Ballyclare town centre, Northern Ireland. Taken in 2009

Ballyclare town centre, Northern Ir…

Avoiding parking charges? Ballyclare, Northern Ireland. Taken in 2009

Avoiding parking charges? Ballyclar…

King's Lynn, Blackfriars Street. Vehicles are partly on private land, but they must be driven across the public footway to reach it, which is illegal. The vehicles also are obstructing the footway. Taken in 2004

King's Lynn, Blackfriars Street. Ve…

Louth, Lincolnshire. Builders' vans obstruct a newly built footway, 2004

Louth, Lincolnshire. Builders' vans…

Stevenage, Herts, Burwell Road neighbourhood centre, taken in 2007

Stevenage, Herts, Burwell Road neig…

Charlton reverside, south east London, 2007

Charlton reverside, south east Lond…

Beaulieu Park, Chelmsford, Essex. Bad parking habits in 2006. There is some off-street parking, but drivers prefer to park on the footway directly outside their front door.

Beaulieu Park, Chelmsford, Essex. B…

Bad habits in Beaulieu Park, Chelmsford, Essex, 2006

Bad habits in Beaulieu Park, Chelms…

Doncaster station forecourt, December 2004.

Doncaster station forecourt, Decemb…

It may only be for a short time, but it is still thoughtless, and potentially damaging to the footway paving. Camden, 2010

It may only be for a short time, bu…

Driving and parking on the footway is endemic in Glengormley, Northern Ireland. With such contempt for the pedestrian environment, is it surprising that the centre is failing? December 2009

Driving and parking on the footway …

…

Glengormley, Northern Ireland, the busiest street corner is cluttered with cars. Taken in 2009

Glengormley, Northern Ireland, the …

Glengormley, Northern Ireland, 2009

Glengormley, Northern Ireland, 2009…

To maintain carriageway width to allow two cars to pass, drivers in this street in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, put two wheels up on the footway. Wide footways mean little obstruction, but it still signals a lack of concern for the pedestrian environment. 2009

To maintain carriageway width to al…

How likely is it that the Police will tackle footway parking in Northern Ireland? Judging by this example being set by Police in in Glengormley, not very likely. (Google Streetview 2009)

How likely is it that the Police wi…

Police should be setting an example, but in Newark in 2004 they were not.

Police should be setting an example…

Newark police again showing apparent disregard for the Highway Code, and for pedestrians, back in 2004.

Newark police again showing apparen…

Footway completely obstructed in the centre of Portadown, Northern Ireland, January 2009

Footway completely obstructed in th…

Why do some drivers feel the need to put two wheels up on the footway. Often, as in this case, there is not even any benefit to other drivers. Queen Elizabeth Park, Guildford, 2006.

Why do some drivers feel the need t…

Twin cars? One behaving badly. Redhill, Surrey, 2008

Twin cars? One behaving badly. Redh…

Obstruction of the footway, and completely unnecessary. Sacriston, County Durham, 2006. Go to Findon Hill, Sacriston, in Google Streetview to see that the problem is endemic.

Obstruction of the footway, and com…

Wilful and aggressive obstruction of the footway in Louth town centre, Lincolnshire. Taken in 2004

Wilful and aggressive obstruction o…

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