Dropped kerbs warning to motorists in Northumberland

Northumberland County Council is asking motorists to be extra vigilant when parking so they don’t block access to the kerbs, specially where they are installed in public places to assist pedestrians with restricted mobility, including wheelchair and pushchair users, to cross roads safely.

Parking or waiting where a kerb has been lowered is a traffic offence, enforceable with a fine.

County councillor Robert Arckless, from Amble, is a wheelchair user himself and is working to raise awareness of the issue.

“I have experienced it myself in my home town of Amble when I went down to the harbour in my motorised wheelchair,” he said. “The dropped kerb that was my access point onto the quayside was blocked by a parked car and I was unable to get safely to my destination which was both inconvenient and frustrating.”

He added: “I understand it is an easy mistake for a motorist to make and I am appealing to all drivers to park with consideration by double-checking they are not blocking a dropped access before they leave their vehicle.”