Drivers parking across footways in Littlehampton

Back in 2009, through the pages of the Littlehampton Gazette, I complained about the parking on footways and verges.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jun 2016, 15:28 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:02 BST

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Since then, there have been a number of other readers who have also raised this issue.

Around Rustington and east Littlehampton, it is now common practice for drivers to park on the verges that are gradually being destroyed. However, over the past few months it’s getting even worse.

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Drivers are now parking across the footway (yes, actual footways not the associated verges) at junctions, meaning that the disabled and those with pushchairs, have to go into the road at, what is probably, the most dangerous phase of being a pedestrian. Worse than that, the disabled, in motorized wheelchairs, are now ignoring the footways altogether and riding in the roads and, ultimately, there will be a serious accident as a result.

I have tried contacting the local authority on this matter, but they are just not interested, “...it’s a police matter...” they smugly tell me. Well, sorry, but it isn’t!

A local authority is also the highway authority and has a duty of care under the Highways Act to ensure that the roads and footways are kept safe for the public.

Totally ignoring this worsening situation is unacceptable. As the Highway Authority I expect them to act. This is not a case of a lack of funding (although they did, many years ago, get rid of all their highway inspectors), it’s a case of acting when the public advise them AND instructing their own officers to report cases seen when on their travels.

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May I suggest that, as our best local newspaper, you also take on this campaign, as, being a single resident, I am being ignored.

Richard Saunders

Capstan Drive

Littlehampton

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