Parking on the highway
The public highway can consist of a carriageway, footpath, pavement and grassed verge and in law nobody has any right to do anything on the highway except to pass and repass (i.e., to travel along the road or footway). Parking on the highway, however wide, is an obstruction, even if there are no waiting restrictions and no yellow lines, and anyone causing an obstruction can be subject to the appropriate penalties for that specific offence. In reality, such are the demands of modern life that on street parking on most roads is condoned where the degree of obstruction is relatively small.
Although some motorists may think that they are being considerate by keeping roads clear of obstruction by parking wholly or partly on the pavement they are in fact breaking the law as well as endangering vulnerable pedestrians. This practice can also cause damage to kerbs, pavements and services underneath which could lead to burst water mains and gas escapes. Repairing such damage can be costly and Local Authorities may face claims for compensation for injuries received resulting from damaged or defective pavements, the cost of which is ultimately borne by council tax payers through council tax and higher utility bills.
The council's message to drivers is, therefore, before parking your vehicle look around and check if you are blocking a driveway or a pedestrian dropped kerb and whether there is enough room for other vehicles to get past safely. Please do not park on pavements or footways even though you may consider it safe or convenient to do so; think of others, particularly children, the elderly and those who have visual impairments or mobility difficulties.
The law states that drivers must not drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property by way of a properly constructed vehicular crossing and drivers can be fined by way of a fixed penalty ticket for causing an unnecessary obstruction or be issued with a summons to appear in court.
At present enforcement rests with the police but under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1991 local authorities can apply to take over the enforcement of parking offences with parking attendants employed by the council issuing Penalty Charge Notices. Walsall council will be pursuing this course of action in due course but at present enforcement is still firmly under the jurisdiction of the police.
Contact us
Car Parks Office
Traffic and Transportation Services
2nd Floor
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1DG
Telephone 01922 652525
Fax 01922 612608
Email carparks@walsall.gov.uk
Our opening hours are 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 4.45pm Friday.