A cycling group has demanded action over an 'epidemic' of drivers dumping their cars on bike paths and pavements around the city. One cycle lane, which runs along Cornbrook Road in Stretford, has become frequently blocked by cars in recent weeks, they say.
Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) Stretford division say they have had 'a lot of complaints' about parking in the area lately. At one point, an office slapped a BMW driver with a ticket for blocking the cycle lane.
Trafford council said the problem is on their radar, but they are unable to restrict parking on the road as there are no traffic regulation orders (TRO) in place. Council bosses say they have been 'pushing' police to take action for some time and will be conducting a review into harsher enforcements in the area.
READ MORE New plans show the future of a 'three-quarters' pedestrianised Stevenson Square
But, Claire Stocks, of the Walk Ride campaign group in Manchester, said that the problem is only increasing across Manchester and further afield due to a huge increase in cars using the roads and fewer traffic management strategies in built up cities.
She told the M.E.N: " Increasingly, drivers are seeming to park in very anti-social ways, and we are seeing it up and down the country. We want the Government to introduce a pavement parking ban, but we also believe local councils can do more to introduce bans in specific areas.
"We have a problem because there are so many more cars on the roads. There are probably four times as many cars on the road now as when I was young. When people get behind a wheel, they often see a space and just think they can leave it there if there is no sign telling them not to do so.
"It is often because people are trying to avoid high parking costs, especially in cities, and we know built up cities are not able to deal with so much heavy traffic and there isn't the space to park. Many people don't realise the impact they are having blocking a pavement or cycle lane and I think it is often not deliberate but it is ignorant. We see it with delivery drivers too, who are in a rush and park up willy-nilly wherever they can.
"It's impacting those who are trying to get around without a car. Cities like Manchester are pushing for a better travel network, whether that be on public transport, cycle lanes or pedestrianising areas."
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced in June 2020 that local authorities in England will be able to use CCTV to fine drivers who park up or load illegally in mandatory cycle lanes. Walk Ride Greater Manchester also previously launched their Pedestrian Manifesto, calling on change for those using pavements including the introduction of continuous footways and zebra crossings as well as the pedestrianisation of built-up areas.
Claire added: "As Walk Ride Greater Manchester, we call on more councils to enact these powers more forcefully and take action to keep bike lanes clear.
"In the meantime, we urge councils to take up local powers to ban pavement parking in areas where it is getting out of hand. This now includes hundreds and hundreds of street corners and stretches where drivers are happy to drive onto the pavement and park for free and take space from pedestrians wheelchair users and buggies."
Trafford Council acknowledged the parking issue beside Cornbrook, which is seeing a popular cycle route regularly littered with cars. They added that they take a 'strong view' against the paths being blocked and recognise the problem extends 'beyond' Cornbrook into nearby areas such as Trafford Park and Gorse Hill.
Councils have apply for a Traffic Regulation Order, where the proposed scheme is drafter before various processes of consultation.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “We have been made aware of this issue, however, there are currently no traffic regulation orders (TRO) in place that restrict the parking of vehicles on that road. While we therefore can’t enforce it, local councillors have been pushing the police to take action for some time and we welcome action taken by GMP using their powers.
“We would remind drivers that they should not park where they would cause an obstruction, particularly on cycle paths. Cycling is a great way to travel – it is cheaper, healthier and more environmentally friendly – so we take a strong view against cycle paths being blocked.
"This problem extends beyond Cornbrook into Gorse Hill and Trafford Park and we are currently conducting a wider review of enforcement This includes looking at the creation of a TRO so, if inconsiderate parking continues, we can take action and make sure cycle paths are not blocked.”
The MEN approached GMP for comment but the force failed to respond by our deadline.
Read the latest stories from the Manchester Evening News here.
READ NEXT:
Police want to speak to this man after 'vital' railway cables were cut and damaged three times
Did 'gang bosses' escape because cops were squabbling? The allegations rocking GMP
Mum's terror as little boy, 4, rushed to intensive care after catching chicken pox
Nine in 10 NHS dental practices are not accepting new adult patients
Homeowner who built blockade to stop drivers parking in road plans to install a LAKE
