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Mother slams selfish drivers
Reporter: DAWN ECKERSLEY
Date online: 23 January 2009
Brothers forced into road on nightmare school run
THE mother of two wheelchair-bound youngsters has hit out at selfish motorists who make journeys to school almost impossible.
Lisa Humphries, of The Gabriels, High Crompton, faces a nightmare walk to and from St Mary’s Primary School, in Rushcroft Road, with her sons, Jack (six) and Charlie (three), because of parked cars blocking dropped kerbs on pavements.
The boys have suffered from spinal muscular atrophy since birth and are confined to their electric wheelchairs.
Lisa (39) said: “Some days are an absolute nightmare and we are constantly having to go into the road.
“This involves going back to the nearest dropped kerb, going into the road and then finding the next dropped kerb to get back on to the pavement.
“This puts the boys in extreme danger as we are making our journeys at the busiest time every morning and afternoon.
“Oldham Council kindly put dropped kerbs in our street and on the main road near Crompton House School, which helps a lot. But some people park over these areas which means they are blocking the pavement and also preventing the boys from being able to get their chairs on and off the road.
“The chairs weigh around 13st each so they can’t be lifted off a kerb of normal height.”
Lisa and her husband, sales rep David, are currently saving up for a specialised van which will be able to hold two wheelchairs, but in the meantime the family face daily difficulties.
She added: “I am not asking for much, just for people to realise that pavements are for people, not cars, and the dropped kerbs are there to help blind and disabled people and wheelchair users access the road more easily.
“The electric wheelchairs have given the boys a lot of independence but this can be taken away when we go out because I have to watch them constantly as it is not safe for them to be on the road.
“Life is difficult enough for blind and wheelchair users like my sons and these thoughtless motorists make it even worse.
“I am constantly having to ask people to move their cars and most are okay, but I do get regular verbal abuse which is not nice for the boys.
“All we want is for motorists to be more aware of people trying to use the pavements and not to block the lowered kerbs.”
Comments
Despite over 100 call to the useless brigade about cars parked all four wheels on the pavement completely blocking it, they have yet to issue a single ticket. It's something they don't take seriously. It's obvious that forcing vulnerable people to walk in the road puts lives at risk, yet nothing is done, perhaps the government needs to put this on the same footing as the speed cameras, then we might see the useless brigade take some action.
I have numerous pictures of the police parking on the pavements in this manner. They won't enforce the law, they don't care. I asked a sergeant once why not and was told "do you want me to stop chasing burglars so I can issue tickets?" No, I want you to do BOTH. And judging by the pitiful burglary stats you are useless at that too. SELFISH DRIVERS.
Last week I received notification from Newham council in London that my car had been illegally parked with two wheels on the pavement. This had been recorded by CCTV and the image sent to me. As it happens they made a mistake with the reg. number and it was not my car.However, if that council can do things like this to prevent illegal parking, why can't ours? Is it a matter of brain cells, or the lack of them.These selfish drivers should be fined and receive penalty points for this!
The main problem here is the sad and pathetic council that does nothing you only have to look at Yorkshire street bus lane that cost the tax payers lots of money being used by aisan taxi firms on Yorkshire street as there private parking spots with the complete blessing of he council. I have raised at least 1000 complaints and nothing happens
The sad thing is it is an offence and other councisl fine people but this council doesn’t even have a ruling on people using bus lanes for there own use, again other council fine unauthorised drivers for using bus lane
The Police can act and issue tickets as it is an offence to park with 2 wheels on the pavement, its just that they can not be bothered. It's time they got out of the pandas and enforced this law, why should people in wheelchairs or mothers pushing buggys be forced to use the road to navigate around these selfish motorists?
It is disgraceful that drivers are so inconsiderate towards pedestrians just to save a few minutes per day and park that little bit closer to school. Parking wardens should be issuing tickets and warning signs placed on lampposts. Oldham council should take a leaf out of Devon council’s book and impose the same rules: Driving along the pavement can be fined up to.£1000. Parking on a pavement is an offence under local by-laws. Parking on a pavement can be issued with a fixed penalty notice.
The boys grandad came to visit today, using his new scooter encountered same kind of difficulties. Also encountered a new one HORSE MANURE right in the middle of the pavement, forcing him into the road. Ironic really ! Many thanks for your support in our story.
The Council has a duty "to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of the highway (Highways Act, 1980, Section 130).
The Council has the power "to require that free passage along the highway is not wilfully obstructed in any way (Highways Act, 1980, Section 137).
The Council has the power "to require the removal of anything deposited on a highway so as to constitute a nuisance" (Highways Act, 1980, Section 149).
These are the power OMBC, so use them!!!
Have Your Say
all veichles that are parked on kerbs should be deemed parked illegally and should be given a ticket. There is no excuse for this APART FROM IGNORANCE.if you park on kerbs or block ramps shame on you.
By alex wood @ 23/01/2009 13:07:15