Residents of Bailey Street in Liverpool caused controversy after pictures showing their cars parked on the pavement were posted online – now they claim they are allowed to do so
Neighbours who parked their cars entirely on the pavement outside their homes have spoken out after they sparked furious local and online reaction from shocked members of the public.
Residents of Bailey Street, a tiny residential road in Liverpool’s city centre, caused controversy earlier this month after pictures showing their cars parked with all four wheels mounting the pavement were shared online. The drivers behind the unusual display were criticised for not thinking about pedestrians, with some onlookers criticising the “common” practice in the city.
The motorists have now spoken out in the wake of the controversy, claiming they were told they could fully park their cars fully on the pavement by local officials.
Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO, one resident insisted that traffic wardens had told them it was “ok” despite the cars being parked a matter of inches away from the walls of nearby homes. They added the local officials “don’t have a problem”, saying: “The traffic wardens say it is ok.
“There are lots of people here who work in Nelson Street. This is why we can put our cars here. Traffic wardens come here but they don’t have a problem.”
The resident added that she had lived on Bailey Street for “a long time” and had not previously seen issues raised about the peculiar local parking custom. Another local of a few months added that they have parked the same since they arrived, and have had “no problems” from doing so.
He said: “No one has told us it’s wrong. Traffic wardens come here all the time and no one has said anything. I have been living here for a few months and have been parking like this with no problems.”
The practice, which sees the locals park both on the pavement and behind a yellow line, caused outrage beyond Liverpool’s borders, with people telling of their shock after seeing the pictures on social media platform Reddit. One commenter on the site said: “Because god forbid they have to walk a few extra feet just so that disabled people can freely get around.”
Another bewildered user questioned: “I’m curious to know, if the cars really are completely blocking the front doors, how these folk get into their own houses after they’ve parked up.”
And a third added: “My heart sinks a little every time I see a pensioner with a walker having to take their time on the side of the road because of how common this is.” Representatives of Liverpool Council have said they are aware of the situation on Bailey Street, and are investigating the parking.