BROMSGROVE District Council (BDC) and the police have moved to clarify the situation regarding parking on pavements following a complaint from Coun Peter McDonald about vehicles causing obstructions to the public.
Coun McDonald said there was ‘turmoil’ over who took action over parked cars obstructing pavements on residential roads.
He said: “It really does beggar belief that both the police and Bromsgrove District Council enforcement officers state the other is responsible for taking action regarding motorists blocking pavements.”
Coun McDonald claimed councillors were asked to tell residents who found their way blocked by vehicles to take pictures of the offending vehicle and email them to police, who would then take appropriate action – however, he said the police now denied they ever gave such advice, saying it was the responsibility of BDC’s enforcement officers. They, in turn, Coun McDonald claimed, stated it was a police matter.
He added: “It is ridiculous we should have two enforcement organisations squabbling over who is responsible, like ferrets in a sack.”
The Standard contacted both the police and Bromsgrove District Council for clarification on the issue.
A council spokesperson said yellow lines and signage restricted parking and enforcement of those regulations was a matter for the local Highways authority – which in Bromsgrove District made it a service BDC carried out on behalf of Worcestershire County Council as highways authority.
He added roads not covered by yellow lines and signs were not within the jurisdiction of the council as it would not be a legal matter and therefore would not have the backing of the police.
