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Pavement parkers issued with warnings
By Staff Reporter
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DRIVERS are being warned they cannot dodge parking fines by pulling up on the pavement.

This week reader Nicky Morris-Oliver wrote to The Bolton News to say she had been told by a traffic warden that motorists were able to park fully on the pavement provided they were not alongside restrictions such as double yellow lines.

"They say that, because there are no parking restrictions on the pavement, motorists have every right to park their cars on the pavement with all four wheels, as long as no obstructions are caused," she wrote.

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However, Superintendent Alan Greene, from Greater Manchester Police's traffic network section, said: "Parking on the footpath remains a criminal offence."

Supt Greene said officers would not routinely prosecute motorists for parking on pavements unless there were safety issues.

However, he said people were leaving themselves open to £30 fixed penalties if there was any obstruction which would cause, for example, a parent pushing a pram to have to walk onto the road around the car.

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton Council's executive member for environmental services, said: "Traffic wardens can issue a notice if cars are parked on a pavement adjacent to traffic restrictions on the road."

Council officers also liaise with police to review parking restrictions in places where there are persistent problems.

New regulations introducing fines for motorists who block dropped kerbs, which allow people to mount the pavement with wheelchairs and buggies, will also come into force this month.

Cllr Peel said: "The council is awaiting signs or paints from the Department of Transport to inform drivers of area where these rules will apply before being able to put the restriction into action."