Last month the Dispatch invited readers to send in photos of illegal parking from across the borough – here is just some of the evidence we received

Pavement parking in Enfield has become an epidemic.

This became very clear throughout February, during which time the Dispatch asked readers to send in photo evidence of any illegal parking they spot around the borough.

Around 150 examples of drivers breaking the law in Enfield were sent to us. Just one third of the evidence received is included in the photo gallery above.

The examples include vehicles parked illegally on cycle lanes, illegally on pavements, illegally on junctions, illegally on pedestrian crossings and illegally on double yellow lines.

When did drivers become so emboldened to believe they could park wherever they liked without consequences? And what is the council doing about it?

Alex Atherton, from campaign group Better Streets for Enfield, said: “The scourge of pavement parking, as well as parking on double yellows and in cycle lanes, can be seen across the borough and more widely across London.

“Our perception is that contempt for parking laws has been growing over the last few years. We would like to see a much greater level of enforcement, including in the evening and at weekends, so that pavements and crossings are clear and safe for all to use.”

Data released under the Freedom of Information Act last year revealed the borough had 33 parking and traffic enforcement officers employed under the council’s contract with external operator NSL. This contract is due to expire in September 2026.

The council itself claims that the problem has escalated since 2015 when a law change made it more difficult for offenders to be caught using photo evidence alone. Rick Jewell, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “The council takes illegal footway parking seriously as it knows the harm it causes for pedestrians, particularly for people with restricted mobility or impaired vision.

“Last year, council civil enforcement officers issued 9,625 penalty charge notices to drivers who had parked on the footway, which is an increase of over 90% compared to 2020.

“The council is keen to do more and is currently developing plans to increase the number of civil enforcement officers on patrol across the borough, both during the day and in the evenings.

“Despite the best efforts of our officers, the reality is enforcement of footway parking has been made very difficult in recent years following a decision by the previous government in 2015 to back drivers and prevent local authorities enforcing and using approved cameras.

“This short-sighted decision prevents the council from effectively and efficiently dealing with many parking violations across the borough.”

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