12 September 2012 Last updated at 14:08 ET

Pavement driving in Swindon criticised by police

Motorists, filmed driving on the pavement to avoid a road closure in Swindon, have been criticised by police.

Drivers who mounted the pavement to avoid road works in a Swindon street have been criticised by police.

Footage of motorists driving on a footpath in Victoria Road was posted on YouTube on Tuesday.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said he was "appalled to see such bad driving" which could lead to "serious injury".

Thames Water, which is carrying out sewer repairs, said it had now extended the fencing "to prevent cars from bypassing the road closure".

The video was posted on YouTube by local resident Nigel Scott, who said he filmed it because he "thought it was a really bizarre thing for people to be doing, especially when there were pedestrians about".

Inspector Steven Cox from Wiltshire Police said: "Officers have viewed the YouTube footage and were appalled to see such bad driving.

"The motorists who mounted the kerb and edged along the pavement were acting very irresponsibly and could potentially have put pedestrians at risk of serious injury.

"The film clearly shows a pedestrian walking along the pavement in between cars driving along it.

"Motorists must abide by the closure signs while the sewer repair work is under way."

Thames Water said the road works, which began on Monday, were due to take a total of six days to complete.