Drivers are to banned from parking on the pavement on Elm Grove after Brighton and Hove City Council pledged to launch a crackdown on the practice.
Dozens of cars are consistently parked on the wide pavement behind double yellow lines on Elm Grove even though it is technically illegal to do so, while cars are also parked over pedestrian dropped curbs on the road.
However, after 23 injuries in accidents on the road during the past three years it has been decided to take action in conjunction with neighbourhood police and parking attendants.
Councillor Ian Davey, Brighton & Hove City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport & the Public Realm said: “In the past Civil Enforcement Officers have not issued penalty notices to vehicles pavement parking in these areas, but the situation is now becoming just too dangerous, with cars overhanging the pavements and blocking the view of both drivers and pedestrians at junctions.
“Motorists regularly drive along pavements to reach ‘spaces,’ parking dangerously close to junctions, pedestrian guard rails and trees.”
Cars have been parking on the pavement at Elm Grove without action being taken for a number of years and Cllr Davey is expecting opposition from some residents about the proposal.
He added: “We understand that there will be some residents who have been parking in this way for some years and will be unhappy about the proposed enforcement.
“However, the council must balance their needs against the very serious safety concerns for pedestrians and for drivers, especially around the junctions. It is also the council’s duty to ensure accessibility, particularly for people with disabilities.”
Residents are to be issued with warning letters from next week and tickets will be issued to offending motorists from 3rd October.
