‘Cat claw’ SPIKES built into pavements could shred tyres in crackdown on bad parking
Inventor Yannick Read, 47, hopes to see his sharp idea implemented across the country
VICIOUS claws that spring up from pavements have been created by an inventor in a bid to cut down on pedestrian deaths and poor parking.
Yannick Read, 47, who has a grudge against dodgy parkers came up with the tyre-shredding device to deter pavement mounting.
'Catclaw' is a metal spike concealed in a dome, that when driven over by rogue drivers will plunge down and push the sharp point upwards - puncturing tyres.
The inventor, from Environmental Transport Association (ETA), told : "We’re addressing road danger – there’s a real problem with drivers parking on the pavement or driving on the pavement because they can’t be bothered to wait.
"In one terrible incident a four-year-old girl using a scooter and a delivery driver crushed her to death in front of her mother – it’s an extreme example but it happens far more than it should.
"When you think you’re safe on the pavement you aren’t safe.
"Last year 43 people were killed by cars as they walked on pavements," he added.
"It’s illegal to drive on the pavement, there’s no excuse to do it. So if you’re not breaking the law your tyres are safe."
He mentioned that the new precautionary measures could prevent terror attacks similar to the London Bridge attack last year where a terrorist plowed through commuters on the pavement.
Current law dictates that pavement parking is only illegal in London, and has been since 1974.
The devices are said to be cheap and simple to construct, but given the nature of the design they may be tricky to get the go ahead by councils.
It has not been made clear whether the Catclaws are safe for people to step on.
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