Suffolk County council explain on their website, that they “have a duty to protect the public rights of passage on the road and footpath network”; also that they have a duty to ensure that roads are free from “danger, encroachments, interference, nuisance and obstructions” and that their officers “are sometimes required to deal with businesses and individuals who obstruct or otherwise interfere with the rights of the public to use the road.” OK, so why are they not ‘dealing’ with the owners of these vehicles (and bins) who are encroaching on the highway, creating danger and interfering with the rights of the public to use the road, and use the pavement in particular?
Almost onto private property, but not quite!
Encroaching on the pavement from both sides at once
Ouch. No chance of getting along here.
Bins everywhere but no action from the authorities
Encroaching from both sides
A Parcelforce van this time, optimism knows no bounds!
Same old story, big car, small hard-standing and a pincer movement
More big cars ‘stealing’ part of the highway
A nasty tow-hook on this one
The pavement is impassible and the dropped kerb has been broken up by the weight of vehicles
These two vans have claimed this pavement as their permanent parking space
I will ask the council and my MP, Ben Gummer about this and see what they have to say.
Pedestrian Liberation 
I wish you luck but have to say, don’t hold your breath. When it comes to dealing with motor vehicles, they all become very scared. They’ll talk big (maybe) but when it comes to action……
A lot of the problem is that elected representatives do not have legal responsibility or powers to do anything about vehicles parked onto the pavements, unless they are contravening parking restrictions (yellow lines). What I do have some power over – ie bins – I will try to improve, although it does depend largely on individual behaviours as well.
Thank you Sandy. If indeed the county council does have a ‘duty’, but no ‘powers’ to ‘protect the public rights of passage on the road and footpath network’ in relation to parked cars then that is something for parliament to deal with. Either they should remove the ‘duty’ or provide you (and every other council) with the ‘powers’.
Regarding the bins permanently on pavements, I understand that the Borough can fine people £1,000 (and sometimes threaten to) who do that. Other councils have talked about confiscating bins and charging residents £20 to reclaim them which may be more effective. Fyi, there are now some 80 bins permanently left permanently on Burrell Road on the approach to the station which in places reduces the width of the pavement by 50%.
I appreciate your interest in this and that you have taken the time to post a reply.
Peter