Parked cars blocking roads in Belfast may face prosecution

Drivers in south and east Belfast could face fines and possible prosecution for bad parking under a pilot scheme from Belfast City Council.

Poorly parked cars are blocking streets across the city and causing access issues for residents, bin lorries, disabled access, and emergency services, according to the council.

One resident who uses a wheelchair says “enforcement powers” are needed.

Johnny Harvey lives in east Belfast and says he avoids certain roads due to cars obstructing a kerb or a drop kerb, which he says “really influences the routes you know”.

He told BBC News NI that he has had to change, and sometimes avoid, routes he would normally take due to cars blocking the route.

Belfast City Council is working with the PSNI and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) for the ‘Park with us in Mind’ scheme.

The pilot will run for 18 months and adopt a phased approach to tackle parking problems.

Cars causing an obstruction will initially receive a pamphlet on their windscreen outlining the importance of parking correctly.

Educational outreach activities will also be taken by the council, PSNI, and DfI in the areas involved, and if the problems persist, enforcement may be used.

BBC News NI understands no other council in Northern Ireland is operating a similar scheme at the moment.

“I think education is one of the first pillars that we really need. I don’t think enforcement powers should be the last resort; I think this is needed,” said Mr Harvey.

DUP Councillor Ruth Brooks says a letter has been sent to residents on some of the worst affected streets informing them of the scheme and reminding them to park “considerately”.

“If it isn’t resolved, then we will be looking for the Department for Infrastructure and PSNI to do their part and take action,” she says.

She told BBC News NI that some narrower streets that would have traditionally had one or two cars, can now have multiple cars per household.

“As a result residents can’t always park at the front of their homes and it is causing issues – commuters are also coming into residential streets because that’s where they can get a bus route in – these things have a knock on impact.”

Brooks says residents are also getting annoyed whenever their bins are regularly missed.

“Inconsiderate car parking is one of the bigger issues that is causing bin lorries not get into streets,” she said.

“Council don’t have any enforcement powers – they can’t enforce residents to park their cars correctly.”

Katherine Coffee lives in one of the east Belfast areas that will be included in the scheme, and she feels people could park more considerably:

“In small streets, I do feel people could try a little harder to make sure bin lorries can get past and people can get past on the pavement.”

Ms Coffee believes fines are fair, as long as there is “an educational programme first”.

“There was a period where it was nearly every week one of the bins wouldn’t get picked up – particularly with the food bins that can become really unpleasant,” she adds.

“I have seen some bad incidents of parking on these streets, particularly when there is maybe an event on—it really does get pretty crowded at times,” said resident Craig McConnell.

He agrees fines are fair, but says access for homeowners is important.

“I think fines down the line—that’s fair within reason—but I think people also need to be able to park their car close within the house—people with kids—or someone who is elderly or a bit less mobile.”

In a statement, the PSNI says it welcomes the new scheme and will provide support when possible.

It says any vehicles parked illegally or causing obstruction to local residents, emergency vehicles, and traffic will be handed a fixed penalty, and/or penalty points may be given to the driver of the vehicle or the owner of the vehicle could be taken to court.