Latest news with #Transport(Scotland)Act2019
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Parking pavement ban - is it illegal in Scotland?
Parking pavement ban - is it illegal in Scotland? People are still confused about pavement parking across Scotland and the rest of the UK You should not park on the pavement in Scotland (Image: Getty ) You may have heard that pavement parking is frowned upon. But is it actually illegal and where are the restrictions in place According to RAC Drive, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced it's considering making the rest of the country follow suit with two places across the UK which have already made parking on pavements illegal. These two locations are London and Scotland. And i f you ignore these rules, motorists may see themselves slapped with with a £70 fine. Is it illegal to park on the pavement? Motor experts at RAC Drive explained: "Parking on the pavement is not illegal outside of London and Scotland. Drivers should be aware of the rules (Image: Getty ) "You can, however, still get a fine for doing so in some instances, which makes the law quite a grey area." In fact, since 1974, Highway Code rule 244 has stated that drivers "MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it." Interestingly, they point out there are two key words you need to be aware of - this includes the words "must not" and "should not." With this in mind, they note: "In London and Scotland, you must not park on the pavement, the must indicating there is legislation behind this rule and you could receive a fine for breaking it. "However, outside of the capital, Scotland, or "elsewhere", the Highway Code states drivers should not park on the pavement, meaning it is advisory and not, therefore, backed up by any legislation." Why is it illegal in only London and Scotland? A Private Members' Bill aimed at making pavement parking illegal across the UK was introduced in Parliament in 2015. However, it failed to progress past the second reading in the House of Commons due to concerns about where residents of narrow streets could park if off-street spaces were unavailable. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs. There is of course specific exemptions granted by local authorities such as allowing safe access for emergency vehicles. Since December 2023, local authorities can fine drivers £100 for parking on the pavement, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. As of June 2025, nowhere else in the UK has banned parking on the pavement, RAC stated. How much will I be fined for parking on a pavement? The fine could be hefty (Image: Getty ) In Scotland, drivers can be fined £100; reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. The fine for parking on the pavement varies across London. Transport for London currently manages 5% of the capital's roads, where drivers can face a penalty of up to £130 for parking on pavements - or half that amount if paid within 14 days. The Greater London Council (General Powers) Act prohibits motorists from parking on urban roads with their vehicle's wheels on pavements, grass verges, or any land situated between carriageways. What about the rest of England? Whether you're going on a trip or live in England, Rule 242 states: "You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road." Using the word "must not" means, according to the RAC, if "your car is reported or seen by a police officer and judged to be either in a dangerous position or causing an unnecessary obstruction of the road, you could receive a Fixed Penalty Notice." Article continues below In the rest of the UK, pavement parking is allowed unless explicitly banned by a local authority via a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which will be indicated on nearby road signs, they conclude.
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Urgent warning to Scots drivers as major crackdown sees £100 driveway parking fines
Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, has urged drivers to be wary over where they park BE AWARE Urgent warning to Scots drivers as major crackdown sees £100 driveway parking fines Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOTORISTS have been warned they could face a £100 fine amid a new crackdown. Drivers can be penalised if they block someone's driveway with their vehicle. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Drivers have been warned over parking in front of driveways Credit: Getty Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, has urged drivers to be wary over where they park. In particular, larger vehicles like trucks and vans used by tradespeople are often at fault. He said: "Ever stepped outside only to find a van blocking your driveway? "Frustrating doesn't even begin to cover it, especially when you're trying to get to work, do the school run, or take a vulnerable family member to an appointment. "What seems like a quick parking job to a tradesperson can turn into a major disruption to your day. "The law is often on the side of the homeowners and there are simple steps you can take to avoid it ruining your day." In Scotland, there is a national level fine of £100 issued to offending road users. Local authorities often reduce this to £50 if the penalty is paid within the first 14 days. In January, Glasgow City Council introduced a ban on pavement parking. Those breaking the rule will be hit with a £100 fine, lowered to £50 if paid within a fortnight. I restored a classic car I found at a scrapyard – now it's award-winning The local authority has enforced the policy to protect pedestrians, in particular preventing wheelchair users and people with prams from having to go onto the road. Edinburgh was the first city north of the border to ban pavement parking in January last year. The parking curbs were passed under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.
Glasgow Times
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Council to start enforcing pavement parking ban - here's when
The local authority announced it will start to serve tickets on Monday, September 1, 2025. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking, double parking and parking across dropped kerbs and powers have been granted to councils to enforce the legislation. 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, creating a trip hazard and leading to expensive repairs. 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. The local authority is also launching a campaign across the area to raise awareness of the new regulations. READ NEXT: Police called to protest at letting agent as tenants claim eviction threat Councillor Paul Ferretti, convener of the council's Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee, said, 'The message here is clear: pavement parking is unsafe, unfair and illegal. 'Many people face daily difficulties with pavement parking. It is dangerous and frustrating, especially for those with impairments or limited mobility and with mental health challenges. 'Pavement parking has serious consequences and can force people to take unnecessary risks. It can force people using wheelchairs, guide dogs or pushing buggies onto the road, putting their safety at risk. 'Even if you think you have left enough space, only parked two wheels on the pavement or you won't be parked for long, pavement parking can have harmful consequences to people who use the pavement. 'By not parking on the pavement it ensures our roads and pavements are safer and more accessible for everyone.' Exceptions 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). Additionally, a small number of streets in East Dunbartonshire will be exempt from the ban following a review. These locations can be found on the Pavement Parking page on the council's website.
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Scots drivers warned over new parking rules coming into force today
Drivers who are caught breaking the rules will be issued with warning notices from Monday, June 2. Drivers in parts of Scotland are being warned of new parking restrictions that are being phased in from today. Motorists who park on pavements, dropped kerbs or are caught double parking in East Ayrshire will be issued with warning notices from Monday, June 2. Parking tickets - also known as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) - will start to be issued from Monday, July 7, when the full enforcement begins. Motorists who are caught parking on pavements will be expected to pay £100 which is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. The ban applies to parked and stationary or idling vehicles on private and public roads, where one or more wheels are on the footway. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking and double parking and the new regulations came into force in Scotland in December 2023 which handed councils the power to slap drivers with fines up to £100 for inconsiderate parking on pavements. Local authorities were given permission to decide if the measures would be implemented and when. So far they have been enforced in areas including Stirling, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, and Perth and Kinross. Councillor Jim McMahon, East Ayrshire cabinet spokesperson for housing, transport and communities, said: 'We're hoping that by starting with a phased approach to the enforcement, we will give people some time to get used to the upcoming official enforcement measures. 'Every driver is responsible for parking their vehicle considerately and in a position that will not cause an obstruction to the pavement or road. 'We want to provide a safe and accessible environment for everyone, especially those with sight impairments, mobility issues or anyone pushing buggies who will no longer need to walk on the road. 'I'm looking forward to seeing our streets becoming safer and more accessible as a result of the new enforcement work.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Ayrshire Road Alliance warned drivers of the changes on social media on Sunday, June 2. Posting alongside details about the enforcement, they wrote: "Help us make East Ayrshire a safer and more accessible place for everyone by parking responsibly." According to Ayrshire Road Alliance there is an exception in the rules that seeks to support some traders to continue making deliveries. This only applies to activity in the 'course of business' so does not apply to personal activities like unloading shopping or lifting young children out of a car. Delivery drivers can only park on the pavement when the following conditions apply: there must be no reasonable place to park fully on the road there must be 1.5m of pavement width between their vehicle and any wall, fence or bush. If these conditions apply, then the maximum length of time for that the delivery driver can be parked on the pavement is 20 minutes
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Hundreds of warning notices issued in Renfrewshire before start of pavement parking ban
A total of 269 advisories were handed out in a bid to raise awareness of the new rules in the local authority. Hundreds of warning notices were issued in Renfrewshire ahead of the beginning of the enforcement of a ban on pavement parking. A total of 269 of the blue adhesive envelopes were handed out in a bid to raise awareness of the new rules in the local authority. This took place during a two-week public notification period before the distribution of fines for non-compliance started from April 1. The law – which also prohibits double parking and parking at a dropped kerb pedestrian crossing – is designed to create safer and more accessible streets. Culprits can land a £100 penalty, however, this is reduced to £50 if paid within a fortnight. An update to the council's communities and housing policy board on Tuesday said the warning notices were "well-received" by drivers who were "largely happy" to be educated on the matter. The report explained: "In advance of enforcement activities commencing, officers issued warning notices to vehicles which were parked in contravention of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. "The warning notices were applied to vehicles in blue adhesive envelopes to raise awareness of the introduction of the new legislation and were well-received by motorists who were largely happy to engage and be educated. "Enforcement of the act commenced on April 1 with this being driven by community intelligence, in addition to community support officers dealing with incidents which they come across during their regular patrols." At the meeting, Councillor James MacLaren, a Conservative representative for Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank, asked how many of the warning notices had been circulated. He said: "Under pavement parking, it talks about blue adhesive envelopes being stuck on cars as forewarning notices. I haven't seen any myself and I'm just wondering how many of these were actually issued?" Gerard Hannah, head of climate, public protection and roads, responded: "The warning notices were applied during the first soft launch of the enforcement period with pavement parking, so in total there was 269 of the warning notices issued in that initial two-week period. "Since then we obviously then moved into the formal enforcement period and that's where we're at just now." Exemptions can be granted at specific streets where there's not enough space for emergency vehicles to achieve access without vehicles parking on the pavement or where there is at least 1.5 metres for pedestrians when a vehicle is parked on the pavement. Any area under consideration for dispensation will not be subject to enforcement while it is under review, it is understood. Once an exemption order is approved by the board, it will come into effect and the locations will have relevant signage and road markings.
