Motorists in south and east Belfast could face fines and prosecution for improper parking under a pilot scheme from Belfast City Council.

Badly parked cars block city streets and cause access problems for residents, rubbish trucks, disabled access and emergency services, according to the council.

A resident who uses a wheelchair says “enforcement powers” are needed.

Johnny Harvey lives in east Belfast and says he avoids certain roads because of cars obstructing a kerb or kerb, which he says “really affects the routes you know”.

He told BBC News NI that he had to change, and sometimes avoid, the routes he would normally take because of cars blocking the route.

Belfast City Council is working with the PSNI and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) on the ‘Park with us in Mind’ scheme.

The pilot project will run for 18 months and will take a phased approach to address parking issues.

Cars causing an obstruction will initially receive a pamphlet on the windscreen emphasizing the importance of correct parking.

The council, PSNI and DfI will carry out educational outreach in the areas involved and if problems persist, enforcement may be resorted to.

BBC News NI understands that no other council in Northern Ireland currently operates a similar scheme.

“I think education is one of the first pillars that we really need. I do not believe that enforcement powers should be the last resort; I think this is necessary,” Mr Harvey said.

DUP councilor Ruth Brooks says a letter has been sent to residents on some of the worst-affected streets informing them of the scheme and reminding them to park “carefully”.

“If it is not resolved, then we will be looking for the Department for Infrastructure and the PSNI to do their part and take action,” she says.

She told BBC News NI that some narrower streets, which would have traditionally had one or two cars, can now have several cars per household.

“As a result, residents can’t always park in front of houses and that causes problems – commuters also come to residential streets because they can get to a bus route there – these things have an impact on.”

Brooks says residents are also annoyed every time their bins are regularly missed.

“Inconsiderate parking is one of the bigger problems that keeps garbage trucks off the streets,” she said.

“The council has no enforcement powers – it cannot force residents to park their cars correctly.”

Katherine Coffee lives in one of the east Belfast areas to be included in the scheme and believes people could park more:

“On small streets, I feel like people could try a little bit harder to make sure that garbage trucks can get through and people can cross the sidewalk.”

Ms. Coffee believes the fines are fair, as long as there is “primarily an educational program.”

“There was a period where almost every week one of the bins wasn’t picked up – especially with the food bins which can get really nasty,” she adds.

“We’ve seen some unpleasant incidents of parking on these streets, especially when there might be an event – sometimes it really gets quite busy,” resident Craig McConnell said.

He agrees the fines are fair, but says homeowner access is important.

“I think line fines — that’s fair within reason — but I think people need to be able to park close to home — people with children — or someone who’s elderly or less mobile.”

In a statement, the PSNI says it welcomes the new scheme and will provide support where possible.

It says any vehicles parked illegally or causing obstruction to local residents, emergency vehicles and traffic will receive a fixed penalty and/or penalty points may be awarded to the driver of the vehicle or the owner of the vehicle may be taken to court. .