NUISANCE drivers who causing obstructions and damage by parking on the pavement are the target of a new clampdown.

Stockton Borough Council’s scrutiny review on pavement parking has been approved. It concentrates on safety of residents, cost of repairs and the enforcement of parking restrictions.

Officers say parking on the pavement causes inconvenience for pedestrians and creates hazardous conditions for older residents, the visually impaired, those with wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs and prams. There are no national laws which cover pavement parking but councils have powers under the Road Traffic Act 1991 to clamp down on those causing obstruction. A large amount of the council’s £605,000 annual budget for repairs to pavements and roads goes towards repairing damaged kerbs and verges caused by people parking on pavements.

Inspections will be carried out to find those areas worst affected and provide guidelines on the worst affected areas.

Mike Robinson, Stockton Council’s head of technical services, said: "People don’t seem to realise that parking on the pavement is bad for the environment, for pedestrians, other motorists and the emergency services.

"Damaged kerbs and verges look ugly and are an unnecessary hazard for older residents or those in wheelchairs, prams and pushchairs."