Airport and pavement parking issues to face 'clamp down' from Liverpool Council

People are urging the government to take action against pavement parkers
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


A major strategy to shake up parking services across Liverpool has been given the go-ahead as the city council looks to clamp down on the scourge of troublesome pavement parking.

The local authority has adopted a wide ranging parking plan that it hopes will provide a new way to maximise the “finite” spaces within the city “for the benefit of people and businesses, and promoting the use of public transport and encouraging more walking and cycling within the city.” Among the proposals include targeting key locations and the potential adoption of preventative physical barriers.

Members have also signed off on an additional plan that could lead to the adoption of a 20mph zone in the heart of the city centre in years to come. A report to cabinet members said changes to the parking strategy would culminate in “providing better quality, more integrated parking options in the right locations.”

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Pavement parking has been a long-term issue for the city, with many people highlighting how poorly parked vehicles have made public footways impassable, particularly for those with disabilities and pushchairs. In a bid to clamp down on the problem, there is a desire to expand parking enforcement hours to 24-hours a day, increase the number of civil enforcement officers and consider viability and introduction of Red Routes/Clearways.

Further measures are also to be introduced to address the increasing number of airport users opting to park in nearby residential areas instead of using official airport parking facilities. According to the city’s own analysis, this trend has been driven by the desire to avoid higher parking fees and the limited availability of spaces during peak travel times.

The increase in vehicles utilising nearby residential roads in Speke has led to growing concerns among residents. Consultation by Cunard bosses found congestion, pedestrian safety, littering, vandalism, crime and the inconvenience caused by the influx of vehicles in their neighbourhoods are the main issues impacting the area.

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It was said the lack of designated waiting areas at the airport causes unsafe parking practices on residential streets, negatively impacting upon pedestrian safety and damaging kerbs and verges. Additionally, city leaders adopted a new mobility plan they hope will shape how people get around the heart of the city.

This could include the adoption of a 20mph zone in the core city centre alongside improvements to Moorfields, London Road and upgraded pedestrian and transport links around St George’s Gateway. Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said the schemes would "future proof" the city.

He said: "Our vision is for the city centre where walking, wheeling and cycling is the priority for people to get around." Cllr Barrington added how the new parking strategy would enable the authority to further the work it had done to "clamp down" on cars being left illegally.