A WORRIED driving instructor says motorists and pedestrians are at risk from problem pavement parking on a busy South Tyneside road.
Alan Atkinson, 68, says he narrowly avoided a collision on River Drive in South Shields, with motorists parking on both sides of the road, making the route a danger.
Mr Atkinson, from Westoe, believes many people are parking up at the site on their way to work in the town, which along with the parking requirements of residents in the area, has led to a narrowing of the road for motorists and created an obstruction for pedestrians.
Mr Atkinson, who runs Atkinson School of Motoring and has been putting learners on the right course since 1973, is urging council chiefs to take action before an accident occurs.
He said: “I narrowly avoided being hit by a van coming in the opposite direction when instructing a learner.
“If it had been a lorry, it would have taken out everything. I used to tell my learners it was a nice wide road, but now there are dozens of cars parked on both sides, half in the road and half on the pavement.
“It is a potential risk as the road bends, is on a hill and it’s approaching a roundabout.
“It has everything going against it. Drivers are going over the centre line to pass the parked cars. I feel sorry for the residents who live here.
“With the way many of the cars are parked on the pavement, there wouldn’t be room for a wheelchair to get through. I thought that was illegal.
“If we get a bit of fog, or if there is snow, then this will be like a single track road. I remember asking about another road and was told there would be no safety measures as there hadn’t been any fatalities. That’s crazy.”
A spokesman for South Tyneside Council added: “We have not been made aware of parking problems on River Drive. However, now they have been brought to our attention we will investigate.”
Twitter: @shieldsgazchris
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