A BLIND woman has called for action after saying she faces a daily battle with thoughtless drivers who park on the pavement.

Joy Drury, 54, was registered blind in 2012 and got her guide dog, Penny, a year ago.

While Penny was meant to give her independence she says this is being hampered by drivers who leave their cars on pavements.

Mrs Drury, of Darcy Road, Colchester, said gaps left for pushchairs or wheelchairs weren’t always big enough for a visually impaired person and their guide dog.

“I am facing this every time I leave the front door,” she said.

“There is an awful lot of ignorance.

“I know it is human nature but I don’t make excuses for being blind.

“I want to be independent. I don’t ask for help often and the only times I do are when I am scared and I can’t get to where I want to go.”

Mrs Drury said the main issues were in Darcy Road, Old Heath Road and Cavendish Avenue in Colchester.

“There are people parked on the pavements there,” she said.

“People also drive off the pavements right where I am walking.”

Mrs Drury, who started losing her sight when she was 19, says she has also encountered lorries and vans parked blocking the pavement.

When she has asked people to move she says she gets verbally abused.

“My guide dog has given me so much freedom,” she said.

“I will not risk her going in the road.”

The Government is looking at a ban on parking on the kerb to stop selfish drivers who block pedestrians way.

An inquiry into the problem has been launched and the public has been invited to share experiences and suggest solutions as to how it can be tackled.

As it stands, there is no national ban on parking on the pavement except in London.

Elsewhere drivers can park if it is not in a dangerous position or causing an obstruction.