Search Everything in One Place

Explore the web, images, videos, news, and more – all in one place.

News

Wheelchairs 'forced into road by pavement parking'

Linda Anderson, from Lawley, says she finds it
Linda Anderson, from Lawley, says she finds it "annoying" when her husband is forced to wheel her on to the road

Telford and Wrekin Council is one of five authorities in the West Midlands that allow pavement parking.

A woman says she has to navigate a road in her wheelchair every time she goes out because of people parking on the pavement.

Linda Anderson, from Telford, said she used to have problems when her children were in pushchairs but now she is older, she finds it as bad in her chair.

According to data obtained by the BBC, Telford and Wrekin Council is one of five authorities in the West Midlands that allow drivers to park on pavements.

The council has been approached by the BBC for comment.

Anderson said she goes out "once or twice a week" and needs a wheelchair to get around some of the time.

She thinks people "don't seem to care as long as they can park".

"You think to yourself that people are good and you would think ahead and think this might disrupt somebody's movements," Anderson said.

She added that once when she was out with her grandchildren with a pushchair, she was shouted at by a man that had parked on the pavement.

"I just said to him 'did you have to park on the pavement?' and he just gave me abuse," she said.

"I thought 'that's unfair because [he was] infringing on our space, not the other way about'."

People from Telford have said parking on pavements is an issue "in most areas" of the town, including here in Woodside
People from Telford have said parking on pavements is an issue "in most areas" of the town, including here in Woodside

It is not just people with wheelchairs who are struggling, but also those with walking frames and mobility scooters, as well as those who are blind.

Harper, from Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, who uses a frame and scooter, said she struggles to get down the kerb on to the road when "big white vans" and bins had blocked the path.

"If you have got your mobility scooter, you have to carry on until there is a drop," she said.

"I can go off the kerb a bit better but then you have got cars parked next to each other and you can't get through.

"My friend has a bigger issue because she's partially blind so it can be a very [challenging] at times."

Locals said people park on the pavement "both sides of the road" all around the town
Locals said people park on the pavement "both sides of the road" all around the town

Isaac Occhipinti, from the British Parking Association, said he welcomed a widespread pavement parking ban, but thought there were limitations.

"Councils must strike a careful balance between the needs of motorists and the safety of pedestrians, particularly where space is limited," Occhipinti said.

"Without effective enforcement, they will not deliver the protection people expect."

He also argued that councils must provide more support for people to give up cars and use public transport instead.

In some areas of Telford and Wrekin, vehicles can park partially on the footpath, while using designated bays, provided it does not cause an obstruction.

Disability campaigner Sarah Leadbetter, who is registered blind, uses a cane and has a guide dog, and says the bays are "disorientating".

"If you've got a bush overhanging on one side and a car parked on the other side, you can't get through," she said.

"That's forcing you into the road so that's not keeping us safe, especially when the car's coming towards you or behind you."

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Read full story on BBC

Related News

More stories you might be interested in.

Little boy stomped to death for 'sneaking Skittles' during 2-day visitation with dad he did not want to visit
Law & Crime·13 hours ago

Little boy stomped to death for 'sneaking Skittles' during 2-day visitation with dad he did not want to visit

An Oregon dad is headed to prison after killing his 4-year-old son, who was found covered in cigarette burns, bruises and scars after being left with his father for a two-day stay that turned into weeks of alleged torture and abuse. Marquavious Ware, 23, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison after accepting a plea […] The post Little boy caught 'sneaking Skittles' into bed stomped to death by dad during 2-day visit while mom begged for the...

Top