Scotland is the first country in the UK to make pavement parking illegal nationwide
By Rory Murphy
The Scottish Government has launched a public information campaign to make drivers aware they could soon be fined £100 for pavement parking.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 was designed to help make Scotland’s transport network cleaner, smarter, and more accessible. It bans pavement parking, double parking, and parking at dropped kerbs. However, there are certain exemptions designated by local authorities — for example, to ensure safe access for emergency vehicles.
Local authorities will soon begin enforcing the law. As such, drivers could be fined £100 if they break it, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Scotland is the first country in the UK to make pavement parking illegal nationwide.
Its public information campaign includes radio, outdoor, and social media advertising. It highlights the danger that pavement parking poses to people by making them move around the car and onto the road.
Minister Fiona Hyslop said: “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.”
The ban comes into force from Monday, December 11.
Living Streets Scotland, part of the UK charity for everyday walking, has asked local authorities in Scotland to implement it properly. This follows concerns that some councils plan mass exemptions and have limited plans for enforcement.
Stuart Hay, director of Living Streets Scotland, said: “Parking on the footway is inconvenient for us all and incredibly dangerous for older and disabled people, who are forced into the road and oncoming traffic. Scotland is leading the way by becoming the first UK nation to say enough is enough and introduce an explicit ban, now we need to make sure we get it right.
“Mass exemptions seriously undermine the ban and will put people at risk if they aren’t introduced following rigorous assessments and consultation.
“Ongoing promotion of the ban and engagement with communities is also vital to ensure the implementation is effective.
“Without sufficient enforcement capacity, many groups including disabled people will feel badly let down. We want to see targeted and proactive action in known hotspots where pavements need to be cleared of obstructing cars.”
What are the laws on pavement parking in the rest of the UK?
Whether you can park on the pavement depends on where you are in the UK. Each of the four UK home nations is responsible for its laws.
In England, the Department for Transport consulted on a national pavement parking ban in 2020 but has not yet released its verdict.
However, in London, it is illegal to park on the pavement. Since 1974, rule 244 of the Highway Code has stated that drivers “MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London”.
However, there are places in London where signs permit pavement parking, typically in places where wider pavements and narrow roads allow it. But as a general rule, you can expect to pay a fine of between £65-130 for pavement parking in the capital.
Accidentally parking on a pavement can also incur a fine; even a solitary wheel on the kerb could be deemed by wardens as parking on the pavement.