IVYBRIDGE councillor Tom Bowden has called on lawmakers to ban parking on pavements, saying commuters who work in the town are to blame for most of the obstruction.

Cllr Bowden, who lives on the Paddock estate and represents Ivybridge's central ward, is supporting a Bill currently going through Parliament that seeks to clarify the law.

He described the number of cars parked on pavements in the town as 'a nightmare', and says they cause problems for parents, the elderly and people, like him, who have mobility problems.

Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham Martin Horwood is sponsoring a Private Member's Bill that aims 'to make provision for the safety, convenience and free movement on pavements of disabled people, older people, people accompanying young children, and other pavement users', and 'to clarify, strengthen and simplify the law relating to parking on pavements'.

Cllr Bowden said pavement parking was a major problem in Ivybridge and while prohibited under the highway code, it is not law – just guidance.

He said: 'It's an issue that needs to be addressed – it needs to be made illegal.'

'In my case, I'm disabled. I've got osteo-arthritis in my knees and spine, and it makes walking very difficult; I use a four-wheeled walker.

'It annoys me considerably when people who are able-bodied come in to work in the town, park on pavements, and obstruct them so that you have to walk in the road.

'In the Paddock and Greenfield area in particular, people who don't live here come to work and park inconsiderately.

'It's a problem in all the estates around town.

'The number of cars parked in some of the estates far exceeds the number owned by the residents. It also gets in the way of water stop valves and other services. People can't get to them because they're underneath cars. And it's not just parking on pavements – ­parking too close to junctions is a problem as well.

'I hope this MP will make it illegal to park on pavements, but also look at that.

'What I don't understand is, if some of these people parked 30 yards away, they'd be fine – it's pure laziness.'

Acting sergeant Rachel Ward of Ivybridge Police said that, while parking enforcement was carried out by Devon County Council civil enforcement officers, the police are able to deal with vehicles that are causing an 'unnecessary obstruction' by issuing a fixed-penalty notice.

A Devon County Council spokesman said: 'Devon County Council agrees that pavement parking is unacceptable and is aware of matters developing with the Department for Transport and within the House of Commons.

'We await the outcome of the reading of the Pavement Parking Bill with interest.'

The second reading of the bill is scheduled for March, after Parliament ran out of time on January 9.

Mr Horwood said: 'This is not just an issue in my constituency, but across the country. Cars parked on the pavement are particularly ­hazardous for blind and ­partially sighted people, older people, or if you're pushing a buggy or a wheelchair.

'This bill is well-supported and a small step towards improving the quality of life for a lot of people.'

Living Streets, a national charity that works to create safe and enjoyable streets, is supporting the bill.

Its chief executive Joe Irvin said: 'Pavements aren't car parks. Pavement parking is a nuisance for everyone, but if you're older, have mobility problems or impaired sight, it can force you into the road and into danger.

'Martin Horwood's bill is a perfect opportunity to enact clear legislation that would make walking safer and easier for everyone.'