A WIDOW from Sale is on a mission to raise awareness of the issue of pavement parking in Trafford.

The woman, who wants to remain anonymous, was inspired to speak out after she saw multiple mothers with prams struggle to manoeuvre around cars on the Woodheys Estate.

This sight reminded her of her experiences with her late husband, whose wheelchair she used to push on and off the road all the time due to the prevalence of pavement parking.

She told The Messenger: "I don't think anyone does it deliberately, but I don't think it occurs to them.

"Because of my experiences with my late husband, I think I notice it more than most people."

On top of the inconvenience of pavement parking, the resident is concerned about the risks to pedestrians' safety.

In particular on the Woodheys Estate, where she explained cars often surpass the speed limit.

She said: "It's an accident waiting to happen.

"This could easily lead to something nasty."

The resident's concerns come against the background of a consultation on the issue pavement parking by the Department for Transport, which closed in November 2020 after more than 15,000 responses from local authorities, businesses, disability organisations and other organisations.

The consultation proposed three options: banning pavement parking as is the case in the capital; giving local authorities the powers to fine people for pavement parking; or improving the Traffic Regulation Order process used by local authorities to prohibit pavement parking right now.

Approximately 18 months after the consultation closed, its results have still not been published.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport assured The Messenger the publication of results is 'a priority'.

They said: "In the light of the consultation findings, we are now actively considering the options for addressing pavement parking.

“This is a priority and we will publish the formal consultation response and announce the next steps for policy as soon as possible.”

For information on the Department for Transport's consultation, go to gov.uk/government/consultations/managing-pavement-parking.