Pavement Parking Ban to be enforced from January 2025

This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance pedestrian safety and prevent damage to pavements.

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking, double parking, and parking across dropped kerbs.

A national campaign has been underway to raise awareness of these new regulations. The law aims to improve the safety of pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues, visual impairments, and parents or carers with pushchairs.

Additionally, pavements are not designed to bear the weight of vehicles, and persistent parking can cause significant damage.

Local authorities now have the power to enforce this law and issue fines through Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

Perth and Kinross Council will begin enforcing these new rules on January 6, 2025. However, advisory notices are now being issued to educate the public about the new legislation.

Councillor Eric Drysdale, convener of Perth and Kinross Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: "Vehicles parked on pavements stop people from walking safely down streets and can be particularly hazardous for people with disabilities or those pushing prams or buggies, especially if they are forced onto the road to get by.

"They can also cause damage to pavements, causing a trip hazard and are expensive to repair.

"Councils have been able to enforce the ban on pavement parking since last year. We've reviewed around 2,000 streets in Perth and Kinross and will be focusing our efforts on those area where we know it is a particular problem for residents.

"But our hope is that people will be aware of the new rules and will park appropriately and safely so there is little need to issue fines."

Cindy Godfey-McKay, chair of the Centre for Inclusive Living in Perth, said: "Pavement parking is a complex problem that can cause real problems for pedestrians, but particularly for wheelchair users, people with mobility or visual impairments and those with prams or buggies.

"The difficulty for me, being registered blind, with approximately 15% residual vision, and regularly using a wheelchair, due to rheumatoid arthritis, is that if there is a vehicle is on the pavement, I don't see it until the last minute, then I have the difficulty of knowing where the next drop kerb is, to go down and around the vehicle.

"This could mean me having to go along the road for quite a distance, as I can't see where the drop kerb is to go back up onto the pavement, after the vehicle. This is a very difficult and dangerous thing to have to do."

Certain exceptions to the ban are permitted under the Act. These include:

• Police, ambulance, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, HM Coastguard, or naval or air force purposes.
• Roadworks, removal of traffic obstructions, waste collection by local authorities, or postal services.
• Urgent or emergency health care by registered medical practitioners, nurses, or midwives.
• Assistance at an accident or breakdown.
• Delivering or collecting goods, provided the vehicle is parked for no longer than necessary (up to 20 minutes).

Incorrect parking on footways, double parking, and parking at dropped crossings can be reported using the My PKC service. While every report will be reviewed, the Council may not always be able to attend every street where incorrect parking is reported