PAVEMENT parking in Hailsham has come under the spotlight following a BBC investigation into the impact it has on pedestrians, particularly people with visual impairments, wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs.
Steve Saunders, who lives in Hailsham and works with East Sussex Vision Support, says vehicles parked on pavements and verges can create serious obstacles for people trying to get around safely.
Mr Saunders, who is visually impaired and uses a guide dog, said many drivers believe they have left enough room for pedestrians to pass, but often fail to consider hazards such as protruding wing mirrors, overgrown hedges or narrow gaps.
He said: “Many drivers leave what they think is enough space for a person to get through on the inside, but they don’t think of wing mirrors sticking out or overgrown hedges or trees.
“Parking on the pavement may only be seen by the driver as an inconvenience for a few minutes, but it’s seen by the person who can’t get through the gap that has been left as a complete restriction to their life and safety.”
Mr Saunders added that repeated encounters with blocked pavements can have a lasting impact on people’s independence.
“Any barrier to a person’s mobility will have an impact,” he said.
“If it keeps happening, a person may decide not to go out and this can lead to isolation and a loss of confidence.”
The BBC investigation comes after newly released data revealed that around half of councils in England, including East Sussex County Council, actively permit pavement parking in some locations through designated bays or roadside signage.
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said pavement parking remains one of the most common issues raised with councils, but authorities have to balance the needs of all road users.
East Sussex County Council said there is currently no national law that bans parking on pavements or grass verges outside London.
A council spokesperson told the BBC it understands the importance of the issue and the impact it can have on residents. The authority added that it would review updated guidance once the Government publishes details of proposed changes to pavement parking legislation announced earlier this year.
