Anger in Wibsey 'boiling over' over pavement parking

Several businesses recently spoke to the T&A to voice their concerns about vehicles parking on pavements on Fair Road in the heart of Wibsey.

Members of businesses in Wibsey have spoken out about pavement parking in the village. (Image: Newsquest)

“The anger in the village is boiling over,” said Gareth Gregory, a member of the Wibsey Business Group on Facebook.

“We attended a councillors' surgery two weeks ago and 25 people shared concerns about parking.”

Shortly after the meeting, Mr Gregory said: “Police were trying to address the parking problems.

"Things started to change. I have to credit PC Tom Dockerill. He followed through to help us.”

However, Mr Gregory said the village still has an “enormous parking problem” and the pavement parking problems have returned.

An example of several vehicles parked on the pavement along Fair Road in Wibsey. (Image: UGC)

He added: "The parking issues are horrendous in Wibsey.

“We just had an elderly lady today with a walking stick who was forced to go into the road when she couldn’t get through on the pavement.

“Wibsey is an absolute nightmare. It’s not safe for pedestrians anymore.”

Councillor David Green (Lab, Wibsey) said: “We have worked with police in Wibsey who have given us additional resources when their workload allows.

"We’ve also worked with council wardens.

“Action has been taken but is it enough? I have to say no. There needs to be more regular enforcement of pavement parking in Wibsey.

“But the reality is that’s not always possible. When the enforcement presence disappears, the problem comes back. We can’t have enforcement all of the time."

Cllr Green added: “Pavement parking is a problem in Wibsey. There are places to park within 50 yards, but people don’t want to walk to 50 yards to their cars.

“It’s incredibly dangerous for pedestrians. People should park legally and not put pedestrians at risk."

“The bottom line is people need to realise pavements are for pedestrians.

“Motorists have a duty not to put lives in danger and they have a moral duty not to park in places that cause inconvenience.”

The issue was discussed by councillors at length at a full meeting of Bradford Council last week. 

Members said it was one of the most common complaints they received as councillors.

The council resolved to take action on inconsiderate pavement parking wherever it is found in the district within existing legislation, urge Government to release the response to its pavement parking consultation - completed three years ago - and ask West Yorkshire Police to work within its powers to tackle the issue. 

When asked when the pavement parking consultation results would be released, a Department for Transport spokesperson told the Telegraph & Argus: “Everyone should be able to navigate their streets without obstacles, and while local authorities already have powers to prohibit it through local regulation, we have consulted on further helping them take action.

"The response to this will be published in due course.”