Motorists have been warned they will now face £100 fines for parking on pavements as new motoring laws come into effect in a major UK city.
Glasgow City Council has started the rollout of its pavement parking ban with drivers told they could face penalties for breaking the rules.
The measure, which follows similar restrictions in other Scottish cities, aims to keep footpaths clear for pedestrians and vulnerable road users.
The ban is being enforced across Glasgow, though some streets may receive exemptions following an assessment by the council.
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Drivers will initially be given warnings while they get used to the enforcements
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The new rules aim to protect pedestrians, particularly those using wheelchairs and parents with pushchairs, who might otherwise be forced to step into the road to get around vehicles blocking the pavement.
The council did note that warning notices will initially be issued to drivers as they adjust to the new restrictions. Fines will be set at £100, though this can be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
A vehicle is considered to be in breach of the rules if one or more of its wheels touches the pavement. The council will also take enforcement action against vehicles that are double parked or those parked next to dropped kerbs.
Edinburgh became the first Scottish city to enforce a pavement parking ban in January 2024, while London has maintained similar restrictions since 1974.
The Highland Council began enforcing its own ban last February, demonstrating a growing trend across Scotland. The changes follow the Scottish Government’s 2021 legislation giving local authorities the power to stop pavement parking, with ministerial approval granted in December 2023.
This approval enabled all councils across Scotland to enforce pavement parking bans in their jurisdictions, although not everyone will be impacted by the ban. Exemptions include emergency service vehicles, waste collection vehicles, postal deliveries and those providing urgent medical assistance.
Drivers assisting at accidents or breakdowns, as well as vehicles delivering or collecting goods for up to 20 minutes will also be exempt.
Streets that are at least 7.5 metres wide – enough space for a fire engine to pass safely when cars are parked on both sides – will also not require exemptions. The council confirmed that it will not grant exemptions on streets that already have existing parking restrictions in place.
The rollout follows a structured approach to ensure proper enforcement across the city, with streets being assessed to determine if alternative parking measures are needed before any exemptions are considered.
Edinburgh’s implementation of the ban has already shown significant enforcement activity, with more than 200 drivers receiving fines within the first week of the rules coming into force.
Scottish Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said: “The message here is clear: pavement parking is unsafe, unfair and illegal, and you could be fined up to £100 for it.
“We’re highlighting the danger that illegal pavement parking poses to pavement users, and in particular those with mobility issues or visual impairments, or parents pushing prams and buggies.”
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Drivers can be fined for using the pavement incorrectly and causing an obstruction
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Rhydian Jones, car insurance expert at Confused.com, explained that the parking bans are being put in place to improve safety, for drivers and pedestrians.
He said: “If you’re caught by the council, you could get fined as much as £100. And if the police fine you, it could be a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £200, and you might even get penalty points on your licence as well.”
