WHEELCHAIR users in Ryedale are being forced to use the road as a pavement because inconsiderate drivers are blocking their path, a councillor has warned.

Norton councillor Margaret Taylor is urging North Yorkshire Highways to paint white lines on the roads to prevent drivers from obstructing lowered kerbs - devised for the disabled and mothers with pushchairs.

"They just see a space, and without taking any consideration into why the kerb is lowered they park in front of it," said Coun Taylor.

"It must be very frustrating for wheelchair users to know that the facility is there for them, but they're unable to get to it because of the vehicle obstruction."

She said the problem was particularly bad in Commercial Street and Dean Road, Norton.

"I've watched it get increasingly worse over the last three years - ever since the kerbs were lowered."

Wheelchair user Sherry Gibbon, 31, of Malton, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said she found it "extremely annoying".

"I honestly believe they just do not think - they're wrapped up in themselves.

"I'm often forced to use the road, and a wheelchair is bulky so it makes life quite difficult for drivers as well.

"The sad thing is that nine out of 10 of these lowered kerbs have a bumpy effect to help blind people know where the pavement is. How are they supposed to manage?"

Mrs Taylor addressed the issue at a recent meeting of Malton, Norton and District Road Safety Committee.

Members agreed that North Yorkshire Highways should be consulted about the white lines.

Area traffic manager for North Yorkshire Highways Tony Wright said he would be happy to discus the issue.

He said: "Obviously I would have to look at the situation in Commercial Street, but problems like this have been known to be corrected with the right markings."

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