Drivers who park on cycle lanes and footpaths in Waltham Forest could be in for a wake-up call as the council have increased patrols to clamp down on the illegal practice.

In light of the ‘growing concerns’ raised by people about ‘irresponsible motorists’ parking illegally on the lanes, the council has vowed to step up parking enforcement patrols.

Teams will pay particular attention to Lea Bridge Road, which sees an average of 800 bikes pass through every morning, using the cycle lanes on both sides of the main road.

The council, who made the announcement as national Road Safety Week kicks off, says cars on the lanes make it difficult for cyclists to travel and hinder pedestrians’ views when crossing the road.

Waltham Forest Council has also announced it will roll out lower speed limits across the borough’s main roads to prevent people being seriously injured.

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The 20 mile per hour cap in residential roads is being introduced in larger, busier roads such as Blackhorse Road, St James Street, Selborne Road and Markhouse Road in Walthamstow.

By the end of the year, Hoe Street in Walthamstow and Leyton High Road among others will see their speed limit lowered to 20mph while Lea Bridge Road will have transitioned to 20mph by next spring.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said: “It is vital that everyone takes responsibility for not only their own safety, but the safety of all road users, when travelling around because any injuries or deaths that occur on our roads is one too many.

“We have been working hard to improve the borough’s roads so that they are safe for everyone, especially the most vulnerable, pedestrians and cyclists.

“In recent years as well as installing new cycle lanes, we’ve also built more formal pedestrian road crossings, better junctions and reduced traffic on local roads to prevent motorists using what should be quiet residential roads as a cut through.

“We’re now enforcing against the abuse of this new infrastructure, as well as reducing speed limits on the borough’s main roads because we all know that if everyone travels slower then we all have more time to react to prevent a serious accident.”

Road Safety Week runs from Monday November 19 to Sunday 25.

On Wednesday, November 21 the council’s road safety team and representatives from the emergency services will hold a road safety roadshow in Walthamstow Town Square Gardens between 10am and 2pm.