A new development in Salford is being 'abused by thoughtless drivers' who are blocking its pavements in search of free parking.
Harry Gray, who runs the campaigning group Walk Ride Central Salford, shared a video of what it was like trying to walk along the pavements around the Local Crescent development near Chapel Street.
"I realised [it would be an issue] when they finished the development and didn't upgrade to double yellows and left it as it was," he said.
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People are now flocking to Hulme Street and Gaythorne Street for free parking.
Harry believes this is a combination of people who live and work nearby and those who are actually Local Crescent residents but haven't paid for parking within its carpark.
"It was obviously going to be an issue. People will park anywhere they can," he said.
But the neighbourhood being swarmed by cars is causing issues for pedestrians who have to swerve to make their way around the cars that are either partially or entirely parked on the pavements.
Property developer Salboy said that there were 10 dedicated marked spaced protected with bollards - but that 'rogue parkers simply ignored the signs and vandalised the bollards'.
Harry says it is a particularly an issue for people with pushchairs, wheelchairs, and those who are partially sighted.
"It can be really anxiety inducing, especially having to navigate around the cars and not knowing where's safe."
Yet it's also something that can be easily fixed - and which he says is something the developers clearly didn't think about.
"It's something that can be solved really quickly," he said.
Property developer Salboy is looking to do just that.
A spokesperson from the company said that its pavements are 'being abused by thoughtless drivers' and that it is pressing for double yellow lines to be instated.
The spokesperson said: “We are looking at how the problem of illegal parking on Hulme Street and Gaythorne Street can best be resolved.
“The wide pavements outside our development were designed to enhance the streetscape and instead are being abused by thoughtless drivers.
“Where the land is linked to our development we carry out regular enforcement, issue parking tickets and on occasion cars have been towed away.
“We are working with Salford City Council and the Highways Authority to press for double yellow lines to be instated along the length of the roads in question.
“Within the building we have 70 car parking spaces for residents plus another 20 which are available to the operators of the retail units. We also have 10 dedicated marked spaces outside which were protected with bollards.
"But rogue parkers simply ignored the signs and vandalised the bollards which we are now in the process of being replaced.
“We advise rental tenants that there is no parking within the development except for the townhouses which have dedicated external spaces.
“There are paid for car parks locally which all Salboy staff use and Domis have paid spaces nearby.”
Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable developments at Salford City Council, said: “This development is not yet complete and the developers have yet to finish installing parking bays, bollards to prevent pavement parking and landscaping.
"In the meantime we will work with them to find temporary solutions. Motorists who obstruct the pavement should be reported to the police.
“As part of our commitment to tackling climate change, we are trying to encourage people to move away from private cars.
"Developments such as these, which are very close to the city centre and have easy access to walking and cycling routes and public transport have very limited car parking for residents precisely because of that and developers are required to support their residents in using sustainable travel.”
