A COUPLE with a newborn baby fear he could be run over as drivers block the pavement, forcing them on to the road with their pushchair.
Ken Shellam says he sometimes cannot walk along the pavement outside his home in Bozward Street, St John’s, Worcester, because of the ‘crazy parking’, and certainly can’t get a pushchair along it.
The 36-year-old also believes the situation in the road has got worse since experimental parking restrictions were introduced in residential streets last month.
Mr Shellam says the restrictions, which include no waiting areas in Comer Road, have simply forced motorists to park in smaller roads in St John’s where restrictions do not apply.
He says he is now concerned about the welfare of his son, Bobby, who was born on Monday, December 7.
Mr Shellam said: “I’m concerned about safety. What happens if I have to step out into the road because the pavement is blocked and my son gets hit by a car?
“It could result in death – it could be as serious as that.
"I believe the parking restrictions have made it worse. There have been probably a dozen incidents where cars are parked on the pavement so I haven’t been able to walk past.
"If you have a pushchair, there is no way you can get past. Not only is it a safety thing, it is also damn annoying. People are just coming along and parking willy-nilly before they go to work every day.”
Mr Shellam, who lives with his partner, 33-year-old Joanne Donaldson, wants to see more prosecutions against drivers who park on the pavement and even parking permits so only residents can park there.
Trial measures to improve travel in the area around the University of Worcester came into effect on Saturday, November 14.
Councillor Derek Prodger, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for transport and safe environment, said: “The experimental parking restrictions were introduced to try to free up congestion around the area for residents and so far the feedback we have received has generally been positive.
“However, we totally understand the frustrations of those residents in smaller side streets who feel the restrictions have had a detrimental impact on them, which is why we are pursuing further restrictions in the side roads close to the university.”
A number of experimental traffic regulation orders are being implemented during the rest of this year and next which are available for comment until May 14 next year.
For more information about parking contact Worcestershire Hub or call on 0845 6072005
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