Footpath parkers spark fining crackdown

Wednesday 20 May 2020

"Ludicrous" numbers of illegal parkers on Five Mile Road footpaths over the weekend have sparked a crackdown by the Honorary Police, who will now be fining offenders.

St. Peter officers had been taking what they termed a “sensible” approach to such offences during lockdown but say they're now going to start going hard on them.

Joao Camara, St. Peter’s Chef de Police, said at least 16 to 18 vehicles were parked on the pathway all along the Five Mile Road at the weekend.  

He explained one islander contacted the parish after he had to walk on the road while trying to use the pathway with his disabled daughter who is in a wheelchair. 

Pictured: Mr Camara said 16 to 18 vehicles were found parked on the path.

After officers talked to several drivers, it was decided that they would start issuing Parking Infraction Notices to anyone parking on the pathway, a decision welcomed by the Constable who noted how such parking was not safe for anyone in the area. 

“It’s always been a ticketable offence, but, over the past few weeks, we have tried to be a bit more sensible,” Mr Camara said. “But this was just ludicrous."

He continued: “It’s not fair for anyone - let alone if they are in a wheelchair - who wants to use the pathway to have to go on the road because others are parking irresponsibly.”

Mr Camara said the number of cars parked illegally in the area has increased since lockdown measures have been relaxed from two hours outdoors to six. 

He also explained the relaxed measures are hard to enforce for its team of 20 officers, as it is hard to “gauge” whether someone has been out for six hours or more. 

Pictured: Mr Camara said not all islanders are keeping their distances while spending time on the coast.

As has been observed in other parishes – and particularly in St. Helier where the police have cordoned off the area near the beach steps at La Fregate – people are not always following the physical distancing guidelines when around Le Port, Le Braye and the Watersplash. 

“We have had to speak to many, many people at the weekend,” Mr Camara said. “We could be out 24/7 and we would not stop people [getting together].

“Lockdown has not finished, it’s a lot less restrictive but people are not self-distancing as they should be. 

“We are still out and about. It’s a matter of informing the public and telling them, ‘Please respect distances.'”