Effective road and traffic management

Written evidence from Tony Wyer (ETM 38)

I would like my views to be taken into account with the consultation on traffic management that is going on.

As a disabled wheelchair user I have great problems trying to get about anywhere it may be either at home or on holiday in the UK.

The problems arise from inconsiderate motorists who continually park on pavements (as my enclosures prove) [1] or over dropped kerbs. This is a daily occurrence and very annoying if I want to go out. I can be forced to go back home as there are not always dropped kerbs for me to get off the pavement, or forced to use the road to which my wheelchair is not licensed as it only does 4mph.

The problem is nationwide and needs to be treated so by legislation, not leaving it to the local authorities (Police or Highways authorities) as they do not want to do anything as it is not a priority to them but it is a priority to us wheelchair users, to which the government wish to turn a blind eye.

All it needs is the wording changed in the Highway Code from "do not park over dropped kerbs or park on the pavement" to "you must not park on the pavements and dropped kerbs". As I have said this problem causes problems all over the county in every town/city and village and needs a national decision and a national solution.

This may not be in your preferred version but this is the first time I have filled in something like this and the only way I can see of getting my point over.

I hope you will see your way to include this problem in your deliberations and make our lives that little bit easier.

February 2011