More Grantham area ‘Dozy Parkers’ as councillors brand pavement parking ‘dangerous’

As borough councilors say they are fed up with “dangerous” sidewalk parking, the Journal’s “Dozy Parker” campaign continues.

Supporters of the journal’s campaign – which aims to raise awareness of reckless parking in the Grantham area – will know that sidewalk parkers are the worst offenders.

Three examples of sidewalk parking were brought to the attention of the Journal’s readers this week.

In the first photo we have a ‘Dozy Parker’ in Corby Glen. The rear end of the vehicle covers the pavement, meaning pedestrians cannot walk on it.

Then in New Beacon Road, Grantham, a van was parked right on the sidewalk.

More sidewalk parking at Slate Mill Place, with the Snapper saying, “Here’s a regular sidewalk parking over a lowered curb. This time with a yellow ticket.”

The issue of curb parking was discussed at a Lincolnshire County Council general meeting last Monday.

Careless drivers often block wheelchair users and stroller users, councilors said as they unanimously urged people to park better.

According to the Assembly, there were 387 complaints about poor parking on sidewalks this year alone, 20 of them related to trucks.

Councilor Rob Parker (Lab) raised the issue at the meeting and made a request to work with Lincolnshire Police and enforcement teams to highlight the importance of proper parking.

“Parking on the sidewalk is dangerous because it forces pedestrians and families with strollers into the street and oncoming traffic,” he said.

Almost all council members agreed that it was a problem, but disagreed on how to solve it.

The motion was supported by Coun Kev Clarke (Lab), who said: “Often parents with children or people in wheelchairs feel safer walking in the middle of the road.”

Count Jackie Brockway (Con) said the council should consult with planning authorities to ensure the roads are suitable.

“We have to say to people planning new settlements, ‘Have you thought these roads through? Have you thought about how traffic gets through, how families with disabilities or multiple cars cope?’” she said.

Highways portfolio owner Coun Richard Davies (Con) agreed it was a problem but said there were no easy answers.

“A parking ban on sidewalks can quickly become very expensive. Until you put up signs and arrange patrols, expect to pay £10,000 for a 100m pavement over the course of a year,” he said.

The application was accepted.

The government considered a pavement parking ban in 2020, but this was only enacted in London.