An image has been shared on social media by an angry Leither fed up with their community being plagued by pavement parking.
The Edinburgh picture appears to show five stationary vehicles of varying shapes and sizes on the well used pedestrian path.
The cars are blocking the use of the normally wide path from the Leith Depot and beyond at around 2.45pm on Tuesday.
Leith Walk has had a continuous problem with inconsiderate drivers who are breaking the law by parking on the pavement.
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Helen Hare, who has been a resident of Leith Walk for the past 15 years shared the image and expressed her dismay at the continuous problem of pavement parking on the popular pedestrian walkway.
She said: “Day after day we walk along Leith Walk and are disappointed by the number of drivers who consider the pavements as fair game for parking. There are loading bays throughout the tram works with staff to help unload and transport deliveries to the door, so there’s often no excuse.
“The situation outside ‘The New Shops’ is really demoralising though. These are workers-demolition, shop fitters, that sort of thing- who feel they have the right to park their vans directly outside all day.
“The council should have seen that coming. Now the freshly laid paving slabs are being destroyed faster than they are being laid. It’s also really frightening as a parent.
“How do you teach a toddler to walk in the pavement and not a road when the simple rules of life ‘cars go *here*, lorries go *there* are being broken right in front of them? How do you show them a safe place to cross the road when drivers don’t follow the expected rules?
“As adults we are inured to the presence of motor vehicles in what should be our space, space for people. It’s really been since having a child that my eyes have been opened to the dangers of this.”
Susan Rae, who is a Green councillor for the Leith Walk ward, has been a long time campaigner against pavement parking in her community.
She reiterated the despondent feeling that many in the area are overcome by with the continuous disregard for the law.
Councillor Rae says that she has in the past been opposed to bollarding the pavement but now accepts that this may be the only solution to an ongoing problem.
She said: “The incursion of vehicles into pedestrian and cyclist spaces is reaching ridiculous levels as we move towards finally opening Leith Walk up to two way traffic.
“There’s no doubt that a lack of enforcement, combined with an increased sense of driver entitlement, is adding to the problem - and the costs - all those shattered paving stones have to be replaced.
“I’ve been reluctant to embrace the call to bollard the Walk but I’m beginning to feel that unfortunately it’s the only option that will help keep our pedestrian and cycle spaces car free.”
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: "I want to ensure pavements across the city are safe and accessible.
"Pavement parking is anti-social and restricts the freedom of people with disabilities, as well as damaging footpaths and making life more difficult for pedestrians.
"The Scottish Government has not yet finalised the regulations required to give councils the power to fine drivers for parking on footpaths, but when it does I will ensure they are rapidly implemented.”
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