A fed-up resident has accused drivers who park on pavements of being “lazy” and called for tougher action from enforcement authorities.

Anthony Silverman, who lives in Bushey, says he has seen mothers with prams forced into the road and near misses involving pedestrians.

The 77-year-old, who lives off Sparrows Herne, said: “I saw the story about the parking near Queens’ School but it is not just an issue limited to there.

“The public tend to park on the pavement everywhere and nothing is done about it. Recently I saw a young woman with a pram and an elderly neighbour on their motor scooter in the road.

“Someone is going to get badly hurt or killed because these people are too lazy to park in proper spaces.”

Watford Observer: Pavement parking on double yellow lines in Bushey. Credit: Anthony SilvermanPavement parking on double yellow lines in Bushey. Credit: Anthony Silverman

Mr Silverman says he has contacted his local ward councillors and the police calling for fines to be issued to drivers parking on pavements.

Parking on the pavement is not illegal in England, except in London. However, the Highway Code states drivers should not park on the pavement.

Police have powers to issue fines if they believe a driver is causing 'unnecessary obstruction of any part of the highway' while councils could take action if a driver is parked on yellow lines or if signs say pavement parking is not allowed.

Watford Observer: Pavement parking in Bushey villagePavement parking in Bushey village

Mr Silverman added: “Parking should be entirely in the road. Absolutely no one should be parking even slightly on the pavement. And the council should be issuing fines to those who do or sorting the total inadequacy of parking spaces in this area.”

Watford Observer: At Queens School in Bushey, county councillor Laurence Brass, left, and borough councillor Paul Richards are tackling drivers taking to the pavement to park on the grass verge. Credit: Bushey Lib DemsAt Queens School in Bushey, county councillor Laurence Brass, left, and borough councillor Paul Richards are tackling drivers taking to the pavement to park on the grass verge. Credit: Bushey Lib Dems

Hertsmere Borough Council says its parking service team does enforce pavement parking if there are restrictions, adding Bushey Village High Street area is “enforced regularly”.

Cllr Jean Heywood, responsible for transport, said: “Most residents park considerately and follow the restrictions in place, which are there for everyone’s safety. Those that do not run the risk of receiving a penalty charge notice or police action.”

The council added there are two large pay and display car parks in the area and that following consultation, pay and display short-term parking was introduced in High Street last year to improve the turnaround of parking spaces.