Parking on the sidewalk on Schöffenstraße may no longer be permitted

Following justified complaints, the Darmstadt Regional Council has asked the city of Offenbach to immediately revoke the previous permit for parking on the sidewalk in Schöffenstraße. The reason: the sidewalk, which is also used by children as a route to school, particularly in the southern section, is not wide enough for parking in accordance with road traffic regulations. Parked cars obstruct safe use by pedestrians. Some vehicles were parked the full width of the sidewalk, making it impossible for pedestrians to use it. Until now, the city had tolerated sidewalk parking there due to a lack of complaints and had made it legally possible by means of signage - also due to the comparatively low traffic in the street and the high parking pressure at the same time. However, the most recent case law of the Federal Administrative Court in a similar case leaves no more leeway for this. The authorities were therefore required to act. Otherwise, those affected could sue for a free footpath.

Following an immediate review, the road traffic authority therefore had to remove the signage along the entire length of Schöffenstraße that had previously permitted parking. Since then, there has been a general ban on parking on the sidewalk. As a general rule, parking on the sidewalk is only permitted if this has been explicitly authorized by signage or markings. Otherwise, vehicles must be parked on the road at the edge of the carriageway if the width of the road (at least 3 meters) allows this. However, due to the insufficient width of Schöffenstraße, parking on the edge of the road is still not permitted there - as it was in the past.

The new regulation will significantly worsen the parking situation for residents and visitors - however, the city is obliged to implement the current legal situation in order to allow pedestrians to use the sidewalk unhindered. Alternatives have been examined: However, setting up a one-way street regulation would have no effect, as it is already effectively just one lane today. There is simply no space to park vehicles at the side of the road. The alternative of setting up a traffic-calmed area, which can only be driven through at walking speed and in which regulations for parking vehicles can be taken into account, would require extensive construction measures. For example, the sidewalk would have to be completely removed in order to create a uniform and level surface that could be used equally by all road users. This is not a short-term alternative either.

The traffic control department of the public order office has not yet carried out any checks. Initially, it waited for the residents to be informed of the new situation by means of an information letter from the city. From July 1, however, the traffic control department will carry out checks as required and issue warnings if necessary. Unauthorized parking on the sidewalk will cost 55 euros. In the event of obstructions, the public order office can have vehicles towed away. This results in further high costs for the vehicle owner. The city therefore advises that the new regulations are strictly adhered to.