WEST Sussex County Council has authorised a crackdown on Heavy Goods Vehicles parking on verges and footways.

The highways authority has advised district and borough councils to issue penalty notices to any HGV parked wholly or partly on a footway or verge – regardless of whether there are waiting restrictions on the road or not.

HGVs found to park on central reservations will also be affected. The clampdown is for lorries weighing more than 7.5 tonnes only.

Councillor Bob Lanzer, member for highways and transport, said: “We have seen an increase in reports of HGVs parking on footways in recent months. This behaviour causes all sorts of problems for residents.

“It stops people from being able to use pavements and footways safely. It causes damage to our verges.

“It makes it more dangerous for motorists and pedestrians to see when they are on the roads. HGVs will still be permitted to drop off and unload, but these measures will prevent long term parking on verges and pavements.”