A pavement parking odyssey

[glasgowcyclist]

if a car - or a string of cars - is parked by the side of the road then cars can only pass one at a time
hence the road becomes pretty much one way at a time
and it is a main bus route

If parking your car on a road risks impeding other drivers, the answer is not to move that impediment into the path of pedestrians.

 

[Tenkaykev]

Full disclosure, I don't own a car and never have. Although I passed the driving test many years ago I quickly decided that it wasn't for me.
Being a grandparent has made me more aware of the pavement parking issue, trying to navigate a pushchair along the pavement is a real obstacle course, often having to go into the roadway to get past a vehicle. I've also noticed people in invalid carriages / wheelchairs facing the stark choice. This is, of course in addition to the people who's time is so precious that they feel the need to pavement park / double yellow line while they pop to the shop / bank /cash machine and seem oblivious to the inconvenience to others. ( and there's never a Parking Enforcement Officer about when you'd like to see them taken to task.)

Having mused on this I came up with the ideal solution for the digital age, and being the altruistic person that I am I am foregoing my intellectual rights to the idea and offering it free of charge for the benefit of society.
The proposed solution would be a smartphone App which, for example, could be named " Dobber", and this is how it could work: It would be a nationwide app ( with the possibility of " going global" ) with each local council running it autonomously. Local residents who are on the Council Tax register would download the app, and when they see a vehicle that is illegally parked they open the App and take a photo of the offending vehicle. This is cryptographically signed to assure authenticity of date, time and location. The photo is automatically uploaded to the council parking enforcement department . They would issue an automatic fine ( amount to be determined by the council) giving the offending party 30 days to pay. Ten percent of the fine is then credited against the annual council tax bill of the person uploading the photo.
There'd be a social aspect to it as well, with people meeting up to go " Dobbing " , perhaps there could be local league tables with councils having an annual " Dobber of the Year " award, with a national ceremony to be held at a suitably prestigious location in London.

 

[T4tomo]

It should be the place you can legally park in public is wholly within a marked parking bay.

that's a really crap idea, either the street is suitable for parking, and hence no paint needed, or it isn't so it gets an appropriate yellow or white line. Street parking is more efficient (in terms of cars per metre parked) where there are no marked bay as cars are different length and drivers are of different competence, hence any "standard bay size is too big for majority of cars and too small for the likes of transit van etc.

Also there probably isn't enough paint in the world to mark parking bays on every road where parking is allowed in the UK.

 

[T4tomo]

I think you mean 101. 111 is the NHS helpline!

111 for the victim after a dapper chap in the stripey blazer has taken his walking cane to him....

 

[Badger_Boom]

The paperwork is a simple e form, filled out on their force issue smart device. It takes a couple of minutes and the bobbies or PCSOs usually complete it while waiting for the tow to arrive. Even better, its likely the powers will also be made available to carncils, who'll chomp at the bit to have a slice of that.

We can object all we want, try and pick fault...the simple fact is it has worked very well in London for over 40 years. That being the case, there is no reason it will not work in other parts of the UK.

It is probably coming, we need to just get over it. As decent, conscientious members of society I would like to think that none of us indulge in the practice ourselves.

Surely enforcement in most areas is the responsibiity of the local authority? I can't remember that last time I saw a copper dishing out tickets. Anyway, I'm sure that Crapita will beat their doors down for a slice of the takings so they don't need to worry about manpower.

 

[Archie_tect]

When I come across cars parked on the pavement I make a point of walking out into the road around them , and on the rare occasions that passing drivers have to stop because of oncoming traffic all the better as it highlights the point.

 

[Chromatic]

People should be allowed to hold their course and just step up on to them and walk over the top of them.

 

[mjr]

Also there probably isn't enough paint in the world to mark parking bays on every road where parking is allowed in the UK.

But you think there's enough to paint all the ones where it isn't?

I would simply change the law to remove the London geographical limit on the pavement parking ban. We know that law works. It's time to stop treating the rest of the country worse.

 

[T4tomo]

But you think there's enough to paint all the ones where it isn't?

er yes the double yellow lines are already in place????

 

[Drago]

that's a really crap idea, either the street is suitable for parking, and hence no paint needed, or it isn't so it gets an appropriate yellow or white line. Street parking is more efficient (in terms of cars per metre parked) where there are no marked bay as cars are different length and drivers are of different competence, hence any "standard bay size is too big for majority of cars and too small for the likes of transit van etc.

Also there probably isn't enough paint in the world to mark parking bays on every road where parking is allowed in the UK.

My comment was said with tongue firmly in cheek. Interestingly though, a marked parking bay is the only place where you cannot cause an obsteuction of the highway.

However, there may be an element of sensibleness in my mad mouth foaming - people all over the nation have proven they simply cannot behave themselves, even on wide spacious streets. So, if thkse very same people don't want ever tighter, restrictive, or downright daft laws imposed upon them then it is incumbent upon them to start behaving. When it happens it'll be due to the carelessness of the run of the mill, average, typical, widespread driver, and no one else.

 

[Drago]

Surely enforcement in most areas is the responsibiity of the local authority? I can't remember that last time I saw a copper dishing out tickets. Anyway, I'm sure that Crapita will beat their doors down for a slice of the takings so they don't need to worry about manpower.

In most parts of the country parking has been decriminalised and the enforcement passed to the local authprities.

However, unmecessary obstruction, dangerous position, and other kindred mayters remain offences the nation over, and firmly within the remit of the police who can still tow for it.

 

[oldwheels]

Just lifted this off our local FB page, posted by a bus driver.
No pavement parking, no yellow lines and obviously no sense.
I go round this corner regularly always with foot or fingers hovering on the brakes.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Taken last Sunday in a local street. I wonder if they placed it accurately enough to open the driver's door as far as they could,then step from the car onto their doorstep. 🤔

 

[HMS_Dave]

Taken last Sunday in a local street. I wonder if they placed it accurately enough to open the driver's door as far as they could,then step from the car onto their doorstep. 🤔

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I love how they have folded the mirror in... As if anybody can squeeze past that on the pavement.

 

[Drago]

That's an almost metaphysical level of twuntishness.