Grass verges

For many years, grass verges have been regarded as free parking spaces for lorries and cars with the result that they are churned up during prolonged spells of wet weather, turning the street scene into an unsightly mess. Damage can be seen at many places along the main routes into the town and North Road in particular has been a constant risk despite attempts by voluntary organisations such as the Rotary Club of Bourne to enhance their appearance by planting new trees.

The task is regularly hampered by vandals intent on wanton destruction, usually after a weekend night out on strong ale, but the damage caused by illegally parked vehicles is often overlooked until verges are ruined by prolonged parking. Hardly a day goes by without evidence of this and in July 2011, Bourne Town Council was urged to look into the problem after a resident complained that the practice was spoiling the appearance of the approach roads into town.

Parking on the pavement or verge, either wholly or partially, is in breach of the Highway Code (Parking - Section 244) unless signs permit it because vehicles obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and mothers with prams or pushchairs, yet despite the dangers created, the police turn a blind eye. The latest complaint might also be construed as causing criminal damage because several grassed areas have been totally ruined, not just alongside main roads but also on many of our housing estates where home owners appear to think that they have a right to use this green space as additional parking lots when their garage and driveway are full.

This particular problem is likely to get worse in the coming years as Bourne continues to attract new estates where the houses are either without garages or there is insufficient parking space and so the road alongside becomes an easy option and the pavement beckons.

Others who appear to think they are outside the law are building contractors and others engaged on improving or carrying out services to properties and in some cases their vans and lorries are illegally parked on pavements for several days at a time. Post Office vans can also be seen being driven on and off the verges while emptying letter boxes, specifically those in North Road where the condition of the grassed surfaces bear witness to this misuse.

Yet the Highway Code gives them special mention. Section 246 states that vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer) must not be parked on a verge, pavement or any land situated between carriageways, without police permission. The only exception is when parking is essential for loading and unloading, in which case the vehicle should not be left unattended.

The latest complaint is unlikely to have any effect because the town council has few powers other than to pass it on to those in authority at a higher level. Only enforcement of the law on the streets will prevent further damage to our grass verges and cars left mounted on the pavement during the day and overnight will remain a hazardous feature of our communities until the drivers are taught the error of their ways.

WRITTEN JULY 2011

Return to Roads and traffic