"MOTHERS are taking their lives into their own hands" after pavement parking in the town has led them to walk in the road.

The mayor of Evesham, Alan Booth, has spoken out about the "dismal" pavement parking situation that is stopping residents from getting past.

He said cars obstruct the pavement, which has led him, a regular mobility scooter user, and mothers with prams to take life into their own hands and go into the road to get by.

The mayor said the worst affected road in the town is Port Street.

"It is a nuisance and is really annoying - motorists don't appreciate people," he said.

"Many people have to go on the road.

"If you have a two-seater pushchair, it is a real struggle, and you have to go in the road.

"They are taking life into their own hands."

Cllr Booth has spoken out after a report by the Local Government Association (LGA) revealed wheelchair users, older people and parents with pushchairs are regularly being put at risk due to pavement parking. 

The report has called for all pavement parking to be banned across England.

A Department for Transport consultation on allowing councils to prohibit pavement parking ended in November 2020, but no announcement has been made on the outcome.

Darren Rodwell, an LGA transport spokesperson, said: "If we are to meet the Government's ambition for half of all trips in England's towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030, then it makes sense to give councils across the country the same powers as in the capital (London), making our streets safer and footpaths open for everyone."

This move has been welcomed by Cllr Booth, who also raised the matter in last night's town council meeting (Monday).

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Everyone should be able to navigate their streets without obstacles, and while local authorities already have powers to prohibit pavement parking through local regulation, we have consulted on further helping them take action.

"The response to this will be published in due course."