Parking on pavements near Wardle Academy is a ‘real problem’, says resident

Parking on pavements near Wardle Academy is ‘a real problem,’ a local resident has said.

Resident Ewa Zietek said: “I live next to Wardle Academy and now that the children are back in school, we want them to walk to school and back safely.

“However, we witness an ongoing problem every day when pavements are not available to walk due to cars parking on them and blocking a safe route. I have constantly witnessed mothers with prams, elderly people and students having to use the road to walk.

“Most of us have driveways and if we don't we have car parks available on the site, but for some reasons, we are choosing not to use them and leave cars on the pavements.”

She added: “Have we all forgotten what the pavement should be used for? We are living in a very busy environment and we should be encouraging all of us to walk more.”

Andrew Storey, head of highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Parking on pavements is a problem throughout the country and a concern to us. Not only does it endanger pedestrians, it also causes expensive damage to the pavement and services located under it.

“Our CCTV vehicle and civil enforcement officers patrol schools on a regular basis, but we can only issue fixed penalty notices if there are waiting restrictions or yellow lines along the affected sections of highway. The parking of vehicles on the pavement may constitute an obstruction of the highway, which is an offence that should be reported to Greater Manchester Police via 101.

“We always remind parents to park considerately and encourage them to walk their children to school where possible as part of our childhood obesity strategy.”