PAVEMENT parking should be made an offence, according to the MP for Altrincham and Sale.

Sir Graham Brady hit out at pavement parking and called for it to be made illegal after spending a day walking around the area blindfolded with a guide dog.

The MP learnt first hand about the challenges guide dog owners and people with sight loss face on a day to day basis.

He also criticised taxi drivers who refuse to allow guide dogs in their vehicles, which they are legally obliged to carry.

Sir Graham took to the streets with guide dog Keighley and experienced the challenges of dodging pavement parked cars and overhanging bushes along Green Lane.

Sir Graham said: “It was a privilege to meet Keighley and to learn at first-hand about the obstacles faced by guide dogs and their owners.

“It was invaluable to learn a little bit about the experience of blind and partially sighted people.

“I found it quite frightening and really difficult just walking a short distance and crossing a road.

“I was impressed by how clever Keighley was and the obstacles he could spot. Guide dogs do an amazing job and deserve our full support.”

Cars parked on the pavement can be a dangerous obstruction for people with sight loss, as well as wheelchair users and parents with young children.

A Guide Dog Survey showed that 97 per cent of blind or partially sighted people encounter problems with street obstructions.

It also found that 90 per cent of those had experienced trouble with a pavement parked car.

Sir Graham pledged to support Guide Dogs’ campaign to make pavement parking an offence and introduce disability equality training for all taxi drivers.

Zoe Foster, of Guide Dogs, said “Cars parked on pavements are a real danger for people with sight loss, potentially forcing them out into the road to get by.

“Sir Graham was able to gain firsthand experience of this in his own constituency.

“We welcome Sir Graham’s support for both of our campaigns.”