Leeds police fine 14 drivers near Otley Chevin for 'extremely dangerous' parking

Following numerous complaints about 'inconsiderate parking' near Otley Chevin, an officer from the neighbourhood policing team patrolled East Chevin Road on Sunday.

PCSO Smith from the Leeds North West team issued 14 fixed penalty notices to drivers who had parked in a way that forced other motorists to cross the white line onto the path of oncoming traffic.

A 'considerable number' of drivers were also advised about their parking along the busy national speed limit section of the road.

Police have warned people that not only does parking inconsiderately disturb the flow of passing traffic, but it can also be 'extremely dangerous'.

They are pleading with members of the public who choose beauty spots which are local to home for daily exercise to consider the consequences of where their vehicles are being left.

This is not the first time that police have warned about dangerous parking at Otley Chevin, where drivers have been fined previously for "obstructing the flow of traffic or view of other drivers and/ or pedestrians".

Over the recent weeks, West Yorkshire Police has also received a number of 'dangerous and inconsiderate' parking complaints at another beauty hotspot in North Leeds.

A post on the West Yorkshire Police - Leeds North West Facebook page said: "Otley.

"PCSO Smith has been patrolling East Chevin Road today following numerous reports of inconsiderate parking along the national speed limit section of the road.

"A total of 14 fixed penalty notices have been issued to motorists parking their cars in a manner that has forced road users across a solid white line and into the path of oncoming traffic, as well as a considerable number of drivers advised.

"This not only disturbs the flow of passing traffic, but can also be extremely dangerous.

"If you choose to use beauty spots such as Otley Chevin for your daily exercise (providing you are remaining local to home of course), then please consider the potential consequences of where you leave your vehicle.

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You must not leave or be outside of your home except where necessary, which includes only travelling outside of your home when it is essential and you have a 'reasonable excuse'.

The police can take action against you if you leave home without a ‘reasonable excuse’, and issue you with a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice).

You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

The rules are that you should not travel outside of your local area for exercise.

This means you should stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live to exercise.

Exercise should be limited to once per day.

You can exercise with your household, or legally permitted support bubble, or with one other person.

If exercising with someone outside of your household or support bubble, you should stay two metres apart.

You cannot leave home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a legally permitted support bubble with.