'It creates significant difficulties for pedestrians': Banbury councillor calls for action on pavement parking
A Banbury councillor has called for action to tackle pavement parking, warning it “creates significant difficulties for pedestrians”.
Cllr Rebecca Biegel, who represents the Grimsbury and Hightown ward on Cherwell District Council, put forward the motion on behalf of the Labour group calling for action to tackle inconsiderate pavement parking across the district.
The motion, presented at Monday's (July 20) full council meeting, calls on the authority to gather evidence from local residents, councillors, businesses and community groups to identify areas where pavement parking is a persistent problem.
It also proposes working with partner agencies and Oxfordshire County Council to address the issue, while supporting awareness and education campaigns to discourage drivers from blocking pavements.
Cllr Biegel, leader of the Labour Group, said: “Pavement blocking creates significant difficulties for pedestrians who are literally forced into the road.
“It is especially a problem for parents and carers with young children in pushchairs, wheelchair users, people using mobility aids and those with visual impairments. It’s not acceptable and it’s time to tackle this issue.”
The Government has announced plans to give local highway authorities greater powers to intervene where pavement parking creates safety or accessibility risks.
Cllr Biegel added: “We want to ensure that evidence-based information is fed into Oxfordshire County Council to encourage action based on local knowledge rather than centrally planned schemes.
“We hope the executive members will take these proposals forward, given the cross-party support for tackling this problem for residents.”
The motion has now been referred to Cherwell District Council's Executive for consideration.