A BAILDON man who is supported by a guide dog has spoken of the frustrations and difficulties he has faced because of inconsiderate pavement parking.

Terry Quinn spoke out as the charity Guide Dogs urged the Government to introduce a new law on pavement parking in England. The charity said its research shows that seven in ten adults would support such a law, with local authorities able to restrict cars parking on pavements.

A Government consultation on options to tackle the issue, including the introduction of a new law, closed on Sunday. Guide Dogs says a a new law limiting pavement parking in England to areas set by local councils is the best option.

Such a system has been in place in London since 1974, and the charity says its previous research shows far fewer people with sight loss in London face daily problems with pavement parking, compared with the rest of the UK.

New research conducted by Guide Dogs, which was released yesterday, also revealed that almost two thirds of people believe that drivers should not be able to park on the pavement, even if there are no parking restrictions. Meanwhile, 87 per cent of people thought pavements should be prioritised for pedestrians, rather than vehicle parking.

Twenty seven per cent of people said they had experienced more issues with pavement parking since March, compared with just eight per cent who had experienced less of a problem with pavement parking. Mr Quinn has been paired with his guide dog Spencer since March and said he was abused after he accidentally touched a car with his cane.

He said: “Even before I was partnered with Spencer I would had problems with pavement parking. One time I was walking along the pavement and there was a car blocking the path with two wheels parked on the pavement. I accidentally touched the car with my cane and a man jumped out the car and began shouting at me and poking my shoulder. I explain it was an accident, but was extremely shaken up and tried get away from him as quick as possible.”

Blanche Shackleton, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, said the research showed "yet again that a significant majority of people support our call for a clear law on pavement parking".

She added: “The Government have long promised to take action on the matter and is now presented with the perfect opportunity to make pavements safer for all pedestrians, and especially the millions of people with disabilities, and parents with children across England by introducing a clear law on pavement parking. Pavement parking has long been a physical barrier to some of the most vulnerable in society. We know that pavement parking makes blind and partially sighted people less willing to go out on their own and can make them feel more lonely or isolated.

"We eagerly await the outcome of the Government consultation and action being taken to ensure the safety of all pedestrians in the future.”

In January this year, a motion on pavement parking was voted through by Bradford councillors. Brought forward by Councillor Alun Griffiths (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley), the motion said “parking on pavements is ‘detrimental to the quality of life of those in the locality,’ especially the elderly, disabled and those with young children.”

The leading Labour group proposed an amendment to the motion, requesting the Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee look at the issue. The amended motion was approved, and it was resolved that at a future meeting the committee would “consider the problem of excessive pavement parking and what options may be available to address the issue.”