Keep off our pavements

Published: 11:30 AM July 23, 2009

Updated: 2:40 PM November 1, 2020

SIR - I d like to remind the residents of Colindale Avenue, Hordle and Kenton Gardens and Orchard Close that pavements are for pedestrians NOT as somewhere to park your vehicles. There are several old-age residents that do not drive and many young childr

SIR - I'd like to remind the residents of Colindale Avenue, Hordle and Kenton Gardens and Orchard Close that pavements are for pedestrians NOT as somewhere to park your vehicles.

There are several old-age residents that do not drive and many young children living in these streets who need to be able to use the pavements rather than having to walk in the road.

The Highway Code, paragraph 244, states: "You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs."

On more than one occasion there have been vehicles parked on the pavement in such a way that the whole pavement is blocked with no way around the vehicle other than walking in the road. As several people seem to think that this little group of roads has no speed limit and that they can drive as fast as they like in this cul-de-sac, walking in the road is dangerous.

When parking in the road also be aware that you should park considerately - not leaving a tiny gap between your vehicle and one parked on the other side of the road which would not be big enough for an emergency vehicle to get through. There is only one way in and out of this group of roads and emergency access should be available at all times.

Also the pavement is not an extension of your garden for your hedges to overgrow, out of control, blocking the way for pedestrians.