Liverpool has a huge problem with selfish and dangerous parking and there is no sign of the issue coming under control anytime soon.
For years campaigners have sought to highlight the difficulties being created by drivers who choose to park across pavements, on yellow lines or in difficult and dangerous areas. It is acknowledged by many that while these issues occur everywhere, Liverpool's problem is particularly acute.
Those who are continually outraged by the selfish actions of some drivers continue to highlight the dangers they create in the hope that more action will be taken by authorities to clamp down on the problem.
READ MORE: 'Dancing queen' killed in M62 crash was 'one of a kind'
Over the past few days – which include a busy bank holiday weekend – these efforts have continued, with countless examples of thoughtless parking taking place all over the city.
This included London Road, where Twitter user Tony shared images of a row of high end SUV-type vehicles, all parked on the pavement and across double yellow lines next to a row of shops.
Tony said: "These photos were taken on Thursday May 25 but it is more or less like this six days a week. Pavement parking is a big issue." The cost of damage to the pavement is passed on to ratepayers."
There are a number of social media accounts that spend most of their time highlighting issues around parking. One of them is the @MerseyRoads account – which has had another busy few days.
One image, from Sunday, May 28, shows a car parking on Cheapside in the city centre. The car can be seen parked on double yellow lines but also so far onto the pavement that there would be no physical way for a pedestrian to get past, let alone a wheelchair user or parent with a pram.
In a post from the very same day, the account shared an image of a Renault Scenic that went a step further. Instead of parking partly across double yellow lines and partly on the pavement, the driver elected to avoid the yellow lines altogether by parking entirely on the pavement.
The account posted an comment with the image to state: "Ordinary people are tired of tolerating illegal pavement parking."
For years now Liverpool City Council has been pledging to take more action against problem parkers and at times this has happened, with more fines issued, but many want to see a consistent approach that will hopefully lead to culture change in the city.
New Liverpool Council leader Liam Robinson has already picked out problem parking as an area he wants his administration to crack down.
City centre councillor and returning cabinet member Nick Small has said it is a 'top priority' to improve enforcement. Cllr Small said it is hoped that the council's move to end free parking in the city centre after 6pm will help to pay for this.
He said: "We need education about the impact pavement parking has, as well as more enforcement. Drivers too often don't appreciate the difficulty pavement parking causes for more vulnerable pedestrians.
"It is a top priority to improve enforcement. I hope that implementing the CPZ (Controlled Parking Zone) extension will bring in more funding to improve enforcement and take more action against anti-social and illegal parking."
READ MORE:
Man dies after falling from city centre car park
Owners of Chinese restaurant set to close 'didn't think they were that loved'
'Dancing queen' killed in M62 crash was 'one of a kind'
Five-bed mansion hidden in secluded spot back on the market after two