Motorists have found their vehicles trapped in a Belfast street thanks to “selfish” drivers parking in a way that leaves the area like a “car dealership forecourt”.
It has been warned there could be “serious consequences” if drivers are unable to leave in an emergency as a result of parking issues at Ulsterville Avenue in the south of the city.
Cars have been parked on the pavement, obstructing pedestrians, while other drivers have returned to find their car “boxed in” by other vehicles.
Some drivers have been parking their cars adjacent to cars already legally parked at the side of the road.
A south Belfast SDLP councillor said the street, off the Lisburn Road, was turning “into a carpark” with cars sometimes parked “three abreast“.
“Not only is it impacting traffic getting up and down the street, but I have a real concern that if someone needs to get somewhere urgently in an emergency and finds that they’ve been boxed in by selfish drivers, it could have serious consequences,” Botanic councillor Gary McKeown said.
“I have witnessed people who have parked perfectly legally along the side of the road only to return to find that their car has been surrounded by other vehicles, meaning they’re effectively trapped in the space.
“There’s also a risk for people trying to cross the street and having to navigate through a wall of parked vehicles, particularly those pushing a pram or using a wheelchair.”
He added: “This is a street lined by houses and trees, but at times looks more like a car dealership forecourt as a result of this inconsiderate behaviour.
“I have been engaging with the police about it on an ongoing basis and have spoken to them on-site, but it seems that even when they issue tickets, a new wave of drivers arrive and park irresponsibly.”
Councillor McKeown said he has written to Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI), urging them to explore “longer-term solutions” including residents’ parking schemes.
A DfI spokesperson said: “We are aware of parking issues in areas of south Belfast. Whilst these can occur where the roads are narrow, we remind drivers to ‘think before they park’ in order to avoid causing an obstruction. Enforcement of obstruction offences rests with the PSNI; our Traffic Attendants can only enforce marked restrictions.
“The Department has consulted on pavement parking and is considering next steps. We have also reviewed Residents’ Parking Schemes and are working on a streamlined approach for further requests.”
They added: “An announcement will follow in due course.”
A PSNI spokesperson said police were “working to ensure people park safely and will take appropriate action against any vehicle illegally parked or causing an obstruction”.
“We have issued a number of fixed penalty notices in the area, however parking concerns require a multi-agency approach and we will work closely with our statutory partners to help resolve these issues,” they said.
“Any vehicles found to be illegally parked or causing an obstruction to local residents, emergency vehicles or traffic may result in the removal of the vehicle at the expense of the owner, a fixed penalty notice issued or the owner of the vehicle could be taken to court.”
