MOTORISTS could be fined £70 for parking on pavements and grass verges around the city when new rules are introduced.
The restrictions will only apply to named roads where there are warning signs and Woodside Road in Lenton Abbey will be the first to trial the scheme – which could be in place by March.
The council has decided to use a national traffic power for the first time and hopes it will be a permanent move – but if objections are raised in the first six months then it will review the situation.
Areas such as Sneinton, Forest Fields, Radford, Sherwood and Lenton, among others, have narrow streets where many cars park on pavements, and not everybody thinks the plans are a good idea.
Sydney Cornwall, 84, who lives in Woodside Road, said: "I don't know where they come up with these crazy ideas. Where am I supposed to go?
"They are all a bunch of crazy people with all these schemes – constantly changing things."
Gail Harbuz, 51, who also lives in the road, said: "Whilst it is unpleasant for someone else to park on the grass in front of the house I do it myself as I have two cars and I wouldn't like to get fined."
However, others would welcome action to tackle the problem.
Daniel Read, 23, who lives in the road, said it was "stupid" people park on pavements.
"If the council were to take action I think it would deter people – they shouldn't do it."
And neighbour Robert Frettingham, 53, said that while he did not think the council should impose fines, the grass verges on the road were getting "chewed up and muddy."
Councillor Alex Norris said: "I get a lot of frustration in public meetings that people park on pavements – sometimes for weeks.
"If you have a mobility scooter or wheelchair you can't get past it."
He insisted it will not just be rolled out across all city roads.
"We'll apply common sense based on what people say," he said. "If they say it's a trouble spot then we'll look at it.
"Grass verges present a different frustration for residents as well. If you imagine you have a grass verge outside your house and people constantly park on it, in bad weather it gets chewed up."
Where the new traffic order is in place, the council said cars will be checked by existing traffic enforcement officers so there will be no extra cost.
The council also said it is a potential problem for utility companies that need to gain access to pipes below ground.
A spokesman added: "There may also be risks with heavy vehicles parking above pipes which are not deep beneath the ground."
Do you live in a parking problem area? Call our newsdesk on 0115 9482000 or e-mail us at newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
