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Food firms to be written to over pavement parking

BBC Motorcyles parked on pavement on Epsom high street, shops, including KFC and Subway, in the background.BBC
Councillors claim up to 20 motorcycles can be parked on the pavement during peak times

Concerns have been raised about safety risks for pedestrians and shoppers when food delivery motorcycles park on pavements in Surrey.

Surrey County Council has said it will write to companies including Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat about the issue in towns including Guildford, Camberley, Walton-On-Thames and Epsom.

Councillors have also agreed to ask the government to consult on a scheme looking at whether riders should be suspended if there are photos showing they are breaking the rules.

Food app companies have said they take their responsibilities seriously and motorcyclists are told to follow local traffic rules.

Two Councillors in front of a row of parked motorcycles on Epsom high street, which is seen in the background including shops Subway and Betfred.
Eber Kington and Steven McCormick from the Residents' Association and Independents group want food app companies to take action to deal with the issue

Epsom Town and Downs councillor, Steven McCormick, called for action to tackle the issue at a meeting of Surrey County Council.

He also wants takeaway outlets, landowners and borough and district councils to identify sites for alternative parking for motorcycles.

“It’s impacting our residents and it’s causing significant issues for highway safety,” he told BBC Radio Surrey.

“It’s just not right. We need to basically get the delivery companies and restaurants to step up to their corporate and social responsibility.”

Eber Kington, the county councillor for Ewell Court, Auriol & Cuddington, acknowledged that the delivery service provided by the food app companies was here to stay.

"It actually creates jobs,” he said.

"It actually improves the economy of the town, but it has to be done better."

A Deliveroo spokesperson said the company would contact the council to look at opportunities to address the concerns.

They added: "Deliveroo takes its responsibilities in the communities where we operate very seriously.

"We regularly communicate with riders about respecting the neighbourhoods where they work, and as with all road users, they must follow all local traffic laws and road regulations."

Uber Eats and Just Eat have also been contacted for comment.

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