Thanet council is exploring ways to tackle pavement parking with a new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) that would allow enforcement officers to issue Penalty Charge Notices to any vehicle blocking the pavement.
The TROs would be for specific areas in Thanet as a blanket order for the whole isle is not possible.
The idea has been put forward by the council’s cabinet member for parking Cllr Kristian Bright, who is asking other councillors which roads in their wards might benefit.
He said: “I have requested that the council investigate the possibility of introducing restrictions that limit parking on the pavement. I will be seeking input from my fellow district councillors to establish an understanding of areas where this might be desirable.
“If specific locations are identified, the normal Traffic Regulation Order consultation process would need to be followed.
“The consultation would include identifying specific areas where parking restriction or enforcement might change. Any road or pavement users would be given the opportunity to make comments which are then taken into account prior to any decision being made.”
Pavement parking where there are double yellow lines is an offence and penalty charge notices can be issued. Currently, pavement parking where there are no existing parking restrictions is classed as an obstruction and remains a matter for the police.
However, the suggestion is for the new TROs to include powers for enforcement officers to be able to issue fines to any vehicle blocking the pavement, regardless of the presence of double yellow lines.
Areas that could benefit are Botany Bay and Kingsgate which often suffer traffic chaos throughout the Summer months.
Barry Manners, from the Friends of Botany Bay group and a Conservative councillor for Cliftonville East, said: “This is one way of solving some of the problems we have in Summer and is a good way to make it safer for people using the pavements. I think it is a welcome initiative and I encourage any residents with concerns over specific areas of pavement parking to contact their ward councillors.”
Thanet council says it encourages people to be considerate when choosing where to park.
A spokesperson added: “Parking on pavements restricts the space available for pedestrians and can make them impassable, especially for people with buggies or disabilities. Pedestrians should not have to walk in the road in order to move around a parked car.
“Residents who wish to request a change to parking restrictions can do so on the council’s website.”
Once there is a comprehensive view of where the issues are the council can proceed with its plans.
Cllr Bright says case studies from elsewhere in England have shown that such TROs have made a positive impact on pedestrian safety.
Don’t forget parking on the double yellow lines, zig zag lines and outside schools
Totally agree. TDC has the power but have they got the will. Also parking outside schools at pick up time with engines running. Turf of grass to the residents who have to put up with the fumes. Canterbury City Council have signs displayed at the Sturry Road Rail Crossing. “Switch off engine when stationary” Further to stop the prolific number of cars at drop off and collection times. In some parts of the country roads outside schools have no parking restrictions during the hours of 08:00 – 09:00 and 14:00 -16:30 with number plate recognition cameras. Disobeying the signs invokes a fine. As I say TDC have the power plus they could do with the extra cash.
Indeed. The roles of Enforcement Officers should, as a minimum, be self-funding from fines income and if operating efficiently should provide TDC with an income stream.
Ideally, proactive enforcement should reduce illegal parking but the selfish and self-entitled will always flout the rules.
However, there is no point in TDC introducing a new TRO unless it is willing, able and prepared to enforce it.
How about not making the area so over populated so people are left with no choice but to park like this
Should pedestrians walk in roads if there’s “no choice” when pavements in high streets or on seafronts are too busy?
How about car drivers starting to use public transport as much as possible?
Or, better still, walk and cycle. Yes, public transport use should increase, but that won’t help Britain’s losing battle against obesity.
“a blanket order for the whole isle is not possible”… why’s that then?
And will they also start fining cyclists when they illegally cycle on pavements?
Yes. Completely agree. Obnoxious cyclists riding on pavements need dealing with in Thanet.
What about cars driving on the pavement?
If they’re parking on pavements, then chances are they’ve also driven on them… duh!!!
The point being that it is illegal to drive a car on the pavement but not to park on the pavement, unless such parking causes an obstruction.
If you get driven into by a car, tye consequences would be rather serious.
So Andrew according to you most cyclists do not cycle on the pavement ,I suggest you go to Specsavers,it’s rife across the country
I agree with Ray for once. The problem started with these shared paths in red (which are basically a good idea, at least when there’s no lampposts or trees in the middle of them), but now even quite sensible people assume that cycling on all pavements is OK.
Totally agree Peter,what’s stopping TDC with blanket ban,can they explain why not and cyclists on pavements total no go ,I don’t mind children but adults no!!!!!
Define “children”. I don’t think 15 year old school kids should be zooming along on pavements.
Talking about young children say under 12 ,when cycle paths were brought in by Tony Blair they were painted red,but the colour has vanished and now most cyclists think all pavements are cycle paths
No, they don’t.
On the other hand, too many motorists think that pavements are free off-street parking.
Vehicle owners should be issued with a yearly parking permit £25 per car £75 van £100 large van £250 HGV Caravan / motorhomes £150 £250 Boat on a trailer or road £250 trailer £250. Night enforcement officers should be employed any vehicle found with no permit £500 fine
£250 if paid in 14 days. Any vehicle found with no permit warning issued then clamped. Visitors to the area pay overnight parking £5. That would generate a lot of income for the benefit of Thanet and stop selfish owners leaving their vehicles on the road free of charge like boats / caravan / trailers
I disagree that visitors should be made to pay. No-one should be guaranteed a parking space, even outside their own homes – it should all be on a first come, first parked basis.
Once again, Pete forwards an ableist perspective.
Excellent idea, every journey I make I can identify at least 6 vehicles park on the pave or on zig zag lines and too close to junctions. A camera car driven around would cover its costs and wages. It would also bolster the council funds and no one would have the right to complain as if you are illegally parked there is no grounds for doing so.
Up to 1991 when as a police officer I used to try and ticket illegally parked vehicles on pathways or many other offences.
I think councils have just been very lazy in pursuing the idiots who park on zig zags Zebra crossings and everywhere else.
Recruiting some wardens and paying them appropriately would be a good start!
I’d clamp poorly-parked cars in Birchington for free!!
About time i have a nobilty scooter and sometimes T an left stranded with parking and a lack of drop kerbs.
As someone who using a mobility scooter to get to local shops, these thoughtless and selfish people who park on pavements do need some1hing done about them!
I’d also fine mobility scooter riders/drivers if found riding/driving down the road, if they want to pretend their mobility scooter is a trike or car they should get insurance, have an MOT and pay Vehicle Excise Duty.
Sometimes they’re forced to by poorly parked cars. Even in driveways, they often have cars too long that stick out several fet.
Feet!
Margate 78 – both my wife’s mobility scooter and power chair are insured. The only problem I see is it’s NOT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT. We have to pay for every item of equipment needed by my wife as we cannot claim any benefits. We considered insurance at £40 per year good value for money to protect us against claims should someone be injured by either of my wife’s mobility aids. But then again, we are responsible individuals!
Well Margate 78, you should try using a mobility scooter and see how it feels to get onto a pavement, but not be able to get off again because some idiot has parked over a dropped kerb, or there isn’t one anyway! I use my mobility scooter most days, and can guarantee nearly getting killed by a cyclist, or e-scooter on the pavement! I do have to ride on the road sometimes, which is very dangerous, and to be avoided! Some roads are pitted with potholes, and poor surfaces, and some pavements are not much better! But people parking cars on the pavement are the most hazardous if they don’t leave enough room for a Mobility Scooter, or even young mums with a pram! I have had to reverse off a pavement because an idiot has parked a car blocking Mobility Scooter access, and thats not easy! There is just too much lawlessness and inconsideration nowadays!
At time u have to park a bit on the path as if u don’t makes it hard for large vehicles or emergency services to get down the roads.
They should start near schools when parents drop of an pick up they have no care where they park
Bet the person though about this has there own drive an never have a problem parking
London has had the power to fine motorists for parking on pavements since 1974.Scotland has had the same power since 2019, but is only now implementing it.
In 2022 a transport minister, Baroness Vere launched a consultation and proposed 3 options.A national ban on pavement parking,or giving enforcement powers to local authorities, or making traffic regulation orders easier to implement.
The big problem is the drumbeat sounded by the last government about the so called war against the motorist.Look at the fuss caused by Low traffic neighbourhoods, bus gates, cycle ways,pedestrian areas etc.Then there loophole lawyers and unreasonable motorists arguing that their vehicle is not unreasonably obstructing the pavement, so you can see the problem.
It is a problem and has been around since the 1960’s, and it is getting worse as developers provide inadequate or no urban off street parking.Vehicles are longer, wider, and heavier since the 1960’s, with concomitant damage to the pavement and problems for pedestrians.
The growing use of mobility scooters, and other aids for the growing numbers of infirm elderly persons.
What is to be done?
The war against the motorist trope, has probably excluded a national scheme, but local authorities ought to be told to get on with a street by street scheme using enhanced powers, a bit of money, and a streamlined TRO merhod. The current TROs take ages to implement, cost a fortune in surveys, consultations, and bureaucracy. If the Department of Transport can streamline the TRO process, advise Councils on the correct implementation, and hand out a few grants, progress might be made.
Doing nothing is fast becoming a non option.
Many years ago, I was wheeling my daughter along the pavement in her pram. There was a guy parked at 90º across the pavement.
I calmly let him know that I was not going to push my daughter and her pram into the road to get round him. Either he move, or I drag myself and pram across his car.
He moved.
Pointless without enforcement. Appalling parking all over Thanet goes unpunished now.
Start enforcing current rules before moving onto something else.
And while you’re at it, clear up the mess on the A299
I’m guessing “exploring” means how to do it without spending money¿ Cos the solution is simple. Bollards at the edge of each pavement. Prevention is always better than cure.
They could start with the pavement outside the PDSA in Cliftonville. 4 or 5 of them park on that pavement every single day. Always the same people. I saw an elderly lady on a mobility scooter crash into a car after he blocked her path just recently. I hope he got a nice dent because of his selfishness.
Allow for members of the public to take photographic and video evidence of illegally parked vehicles on a pavement. Submit the evidence to TDC and they can then issue the fine as a normal warden would but instead of a penalty notice stuck to the window get it through the post with the options to pay online etc.
AI makes that a no go, it’d end up with endless appeals and a system flooded with photos submitted by the public. Better to use the existing TDC cctv network for enforcement. They could start with dealing with the junction of wilderness hill and northdown road ( as an aside crossing still blocked off, but beacons flashing, an odd approach to road safety) the parking on the corner by those using the pharmacy is a thing of wonder and will eventually result in someone getting badly hurt.
Could not agree more on the Northdown Road so called improvements,next to the pharmacy is dangerous for all, pedestrians cyclists car drivers.To turn left from Wilderness hill on to Northdown road ,you have to nearly be on the other side of the road to clear the junction dangerous!!
When will TDC send someone to cut back the hedging at the Westbrook Bridge. Another accident waiting to happen.
How much does the council need to explore when all they need to do is tow the car to a pound.
I f TDC had cars towed away it would fill WWX car park. It a secure compound with 24 hour security.
It’s OK making all these rules and laws but it needs to be policed, who’s gonna do that, the one traffic warden? he can’t be in 200 areas at once.
Kristian it would help if the rusted old metal parking posts that blew over in the storm nearly two months ago,unfortunately not killing or injuring anyone, were replaced.People now think its ok to park in Wrotham rd Broadstairs.Plus all the other signs have completely faded due to the sunlight.Again TDC are letting its council tax payers down.
TDC officers were made aware of this issue so I will follow this up.
It may a KCC responsibility though.
Feel free to email me for an update.
It would be helpful Kristian, if the Parking Powers were simplified! Ramsgate Town Council periodically show this in their magazine on occasion, where TDC and Police have responsibility! The police won’t be interested if anyone contacts them about illegal parking, and TDC Civil Enforcement are greatly understaffed so I understand! For well over a year I reported someone selling cars on the pavement in Boundary Road, Ramsgate. This impeded many people on mobility scooters, young mums with prams, and hundreds of shoppers on their way to ASDA, and school children twice a day! Eventually someone did put parking enforcement notices on the cars, and the pavement has been clear for the last few months, but the idiot selling cars there may well be back again!
Reported today 12/12/2024 on Southern Television news: Medway council (Labour) have installed parking restrictions around schools during school terms and large signs quoting hours of enforcement. All fines received from drivers who choose to ignore the restrictions are reinvested within Medway.
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Medway have the will power to carry out enforcements for offences. Why cannot TDC. ? Too Lazy. ?
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Perhaps some motorist feel the vehicle has to be on a level surface so that it doesn’t corrupt the onboard computer. ?