A father carried out an April Fools' prank with a serious message yesterday in a bid to raise awareness of the problems caused by people parking on pavements.

Matt Dolan, of Sigismund Road, off Trafford Road, Norwich, targeted streets in the city where drivers park on the kerbs, forcing parents with buggies, wheelchair users and pedestrians to walk in the road.

The 41-year-old stuck half-a-dozen mock signs, which read 'no pedestrians – this pavement is now a car park', on Belvoir Street, Connaught Road and Sandringham Road.

Mr Dolan, who designs software for a public transport company, ITO, believes people who have two cars at home should trade one in and use public transport to help address the problem. He said: 'If I put my rubbish on the pavement, let a dog mess there, or even dumped a sofa on the street, I would incur a fine, but it is not the same for parking.

'I am trying to raise awareness of how we have been taken over by the motoring lobby, which makes us feel like we need a car.

'In many cases it is not the fault of the drivers because the path and road is just too narrow.

'On some of these roads, there is no way you can get a buggy or a wheelchair down there.'

The attempt to communicate his message to people in Norwich was met by resistance, with many signs being removed within minutes of them being attached to lamp posts.

But one Norwich mum showed her support for the campaign after she was forced to push her buggy in the road because of the way cars were parked in Sandringham Road.

Caroline Clancy, of Connaught Road, said she was always forced to walk in the road with her five-and-a-half-month-old son and her eight-year-old daughter.

She said: 'This road is terrible. I am always having to walk in the middle of the road and the problem is made even worse on bin day.'

Do you think action should be taken against drivers who park on pavements? Write to Evening News letters at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE, or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk