Major UK city set to completely ban pavement parking

Edinburgh is set to completely ban vehicles from parking on the city’s pavements.

Under plans drawn up by the local authority, drivers who breach the parking controls and mount the kerb will face a £100 fine.

Double parking and parking at dropped kerbs will also be banned, although exemptions will be made for delivery drivers who do not block the footway and emergency vehicles.

National regulations are set to come into force on 11 December.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee will debate the plans on Thursday, with implementation and enforcement expected to begin in January 2024.

The local authority said it surveyed 5,217 streets and found that pavement parking was a significant issue on more than 500 of them.

Pavement parking can cause particular challenges for those with mobility issues, older people and parents with pushchairs.

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Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener, said: “Implementing these new parking restrictions is part of our commitment to ensure Edinburgh’s roads and pavements are accessible for all.

“Making sure our footways are kept clear will deliver real benefits for pedestrians and road users, particularly those who are disproportionately affected such as parents with pushchairs, older people and wheelchair users.

“We would expect everyone to adhere to the new prohibitions when the final regulations come into force to guarantee our streets are safer and more user-friendly.”

Across the UK, pavement parking is only currently illegal in London, however police can take action if a driver is causing an obstruction.

In 2021, the Scottish government passed a law giving local authorities the power to prohibit pavement parking.

The legislation is expected to receive ministerial approval in December – giving all councils freedom to then enforce the ban.

City of Edinburgh Council said it has always supported a ban on pavement parking and has collaborated with Guide Dogs Scotland and Living Streets Scotland to lobby for the introduction of controls north of the border.

The local authority said the move is central to its city mobility plan to ensure its roads and footways are “accessible for all”.

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Niall Foley, lead external affairs manager at Guide Dogs Scotland, said: “Parking on pavements is a nuisance for everyone, but potentially dangerous if you are a wheelchair user forced onto the road, pushing a buggy, or have sight loss and can’t see traffic coming towards you.

“When cars block the way, it undermines the confidence of people with a vision impairment to get out and about independently.

“We welcome the parking measures being introduced and look forward to working with Edinburgh Council to ensure the pavement parking prohibitions are a success.”

Stuart Hay, director of Living Streets Scotland, said that exemptions should “only be applied in exceptional cases based on evidence”.

He added: “This is the best way to ensure those most affected by blocked pavements, including disabled people, have safe access to our streets.”

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