Waterford drivers reminded that parking on footpaths is a safety issue for pedestrians
Car parking on a pavement is illegal and can result in a fine or a court appearance. Stock Image.
Waterford City and County Council is reminding the public that it is illegal to park on footpaths.
Director of Services for Roads, Gabriel Hynes, told councillors at the September sitting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council that it isn’t “reasonable or practical” to install bollards to stop drivers.
And the message needs to go out that, apart from the damage it causes to footpaths, parking on footpaths just isn’t right.
“But for the pedestrian and in particular for wheelchair users. It causes a significant obstruction. It creates a safety issue. Someone pushing a pram may have to go out onto the public road. A person using a wheelchair might have to go out onto the public road.
“A person with a disability is also affected. So the message is, lads, it is illegal to park on a footpath and we need to change our culture and change our awareness and ensure we don’t obstruct footpaths,” said Mr Hynes.
Mr Hynes was responding to a request from Cllr Thomas Phelan, who asked for bollards to be installed on footpaths to protect them when they are repaired.
He said it was great to see the footpath outside the church repaired, but already drivers are parking on it.
“Unfortunately, already cars are parking up on it. When we are spending so much money on footpaths, it is incumbent on us to get longevity out of them. That not only means not allowing cars to park up on them,” said Cllr Phelan.
