Pavement parking has caused division among locals in Carlton, with one saying 'some people are stupid with it', and another saying that roads 'were built when you didn't have great big vehicles'. The government is currently looking at feedback from a public consultation that took place on managing pavement parking.
Although the Highway Code states drivers should only park partially or wholly on the pavement if signs permit it, it is only illegal to do so in London in the law laid out by Government. Three different proposals are being considered, which are to give local authorities greater power to stop pavement parking, a change to allow local authorities with civil parking enforcement powers to enforce against 'unnecessary obstruction of the pavement', and for a blanket ban across England.
Read more: Key step forward for Arnold Market Place as tenants announcement made
Locals speaking on Albert Avenue in Carlton had mixed views on the subject. Jeff Clark, 79, who's retired, said: "My nearby vehicle is parked slightly on the pavement, and I'd love to park it fully on the road, but then it blocks access. I live near a school and sometimes you can't move for cars parked up kerbs, you can't get the swing to get round. In an ideal world, no parking on pavements would be lovely. Some people are stupid with it, they don't leave enough room. But some people are not that bad with it, so it's fighting a losing battle either way."
Sally Wilson, 51, who lives nearby, said: "There are places where people can park for free for 2 hours, and yet people still park up around here. I've got to be careful when getting off my drive as sometimes I can't see around the corner properly."
But not all locals are critical of pavement parking. Tony Smith, 75, said: "The roads were built around here when you didn't have these great big vehicles. You'd be criminalising motorists for parking."
Speaking on B686 Carlton Hill, Margaret Bussell, 64, said: "You create more problems if you don't do that as cars can't get up and down, it should be kept as is."
Pavement parking can cause problems for emergency service vehicles to get up and down some roads. Greg Cox, divisional director for Nottinghamshire at East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "In an emergency situation, delays can put lives at risk.
"For that reason, we would urge all motorists to park considerately and never leave their vehicle in a position where it could prevent an ambulance, or other emergency vehicles on a 999 call getting through."
Nottinghamshire Police has guidance on illegal or inconsiderate parking, which states: "Before you call, we ask that you make your own enquiries locally to trace the owner of the vehicle to ask them to move the vehicle. If the vehicle is linked to a local school, business or other venue (such as a pub or restaurant), we would also ask that you make enquiries there.
"If you wish to pursue a complaint of obstruction against the owner of the vehicle then you must be willing to make an official complaint to the police which could mean making a formal statement and may involve you going to court. Call Nottinghamshire Police on the 101 non-emergency number, but note that we can only take action if someone is blocking your property and you need to access your property immediately.
"We cannot take action if someone is blocking your property but you do not need immediate access to leave your driveway at the time of calling, for example. It is important to comply with parking restrictions which are indicated by traffic signs and/or road markings. Infringements to these restrictions are enforced by local councils."
