Plea for Wigan motorists to use car parks rather than park on pavements

Cars parked on the road are causing anger among residents

Residents on the Pilgrims Way estate in Standish are furious about “excessive” roadside parking from peole using local parks.

They said this makes it difficult for them to park their own cars, as well as causing problems with double parking and walking on pavements.

Their concerns follow that of people living on Heaton Street and Preston Road who have experienced similar problems.

Coun Ray Whittingham, who represents the area on Wigan Council, urged people to park on Ashfield Park car parks which are now fully open.

He said that police advice is to use the free car parks rather than the entrance road to the Pilgrims Way estate. Police will be patrolling the area.

Coun Whittingham said: “There have been complaints from residents on the Pilgrim Way estate regarding excessive roadside parking.

“Ashfield Park car parks are now fully open and police advice is to use the free car parks as opposed to the entrance road to the Pilgrims Way estate.

“Police will be patrolling the area, so to avoid unnecessary confrontation with the police, please use the free car parks provided within the parks." Fellow Standish councillor, Adam Marsh, raised the concerns about pavement parking in Heaton Street and Preston Road.

He has called for councils to be given greater enforcement powers over the issue.

It comes as the Government has said a 12-week consultation this summer will look at options including how a national pavement parking ban could work. This will take into account necessary exceptions and extended enforcement powers for local authorities. At the moment, outside of London, only the police have the power to enforce pavement parking bans where there are no waiting restrictions.

The consultation would also explore the need for any necessary exceptions or designated spots for pavement parking where needed, and how a tailored approach may be required in rural and suburban areas, which face very different challenges.

Wigan Council states on its website that councils can fine motorists for parking on pavements or verges.