AN arthritis sufferer who is forced to use a mobility scooter has hit out at selfish drivers for parking across specially adapted pavements.

Stacey Reilly, of Port Glasgow, says motorists parking across dipped sections is a common problem across Inverclyde, making it difficult for people in scooters and wheelchairs to get around.

She is now calling for signs to be erected to tackle the issue.

Stacey, 42, pictured, has only been using her scooter for the last seven months, but says it has opened her eyes to the problems faced by disabled and elderly people in the town.

She said: “I have to use the dips in the kerb to ger across the road. In some areas people park across these and this makes access difficult.

“Sometimes when I’ve asked people to move their car, I’ve received a lot of abuse.

“I was out with my husband recently walking the dog in Dubbs Road and I asked a woman to move her vehicle and she was quite rude about it. There is no need for it.

“She was just sitting eating something from the bakers and checking her phone.

“I just couldn’t believe her reaction.”

Stacey is calling for signs to be put up highlighting the issue.

She said: “These motorists are blocking access for disabled people, elderly people and people with pushchairs.”

Councillor Jim MacLeod has been campaigning to make this an offence for several years, and has twice taken the issue to the Scottish Parliament.

He said: “I’m am glad to say MSP Sandra White has has put forward a private members bill to look at the problem of parking on pavements, which will include dropped kerbs, to make it an offence.

“I would hope that people have the common sense not to park across dropped kerbs as they are there for a reason.

“That person or a member of that person’s family may need that dropped pavement in the future.

“My own view is that people should get penalty points on their driving licence.”