The Dunedin City Council says it has taken an "educational approach" to the offending thus far, but a report to be tabled at a council meeting next week could lead to increased enforcement action if approved.
One evening, Ms de Heij said the shared pathway where she wanted to cross was "covered with parked cars" and so the only way to reach her destination was to walk about 20m on the road.
She believed the number of illegally parked cars had increased — especially during the weekend and in the evenings — and had seen up to 15 cars parked there at once, she said.
Ms de Heij said she did not think the council had done enough to stop cars from parking illegally, and believed someone could get hurt.
"People are just going to park if they get away with it."
"It needs to be clear that they can’t park there ..."
Otago regional councillor Elliot Weir, speaking as a Dunedin citizen, said the situation had gotten "a lot worse" since they first raised concerns.
"It’s important to note the community is still getting used to the new layout, so we have been taking a monitoring and educational approach for now."
He reiterated parking officers had been talking to people parking in the shared pathway to educate them, and were planning to put flyers on the windshields of "improperly parked vehicles" to remind motorists where they should, and should not, be parking.
A plan was also in development to increase enforcement in the area and a report going to a council meeting next Wednesday would, if approved, support these efforts, he said.
