Edinburgh launches ban on pavement parking

Edinburgh yesterday became Scotland’s first local authority to bring in a ban on pavement parking.

Parking attendants were enforcing the ban for the first time, with supporters of the scheme delighted that enforcement has got under way against pavement parking in the city.

The controversial measure will see motorists who park their cars on pavements face fines. It comes after the Scottish Government handed local authorities the power to implement the law

The new scheme was officially launched by the council at Craiglockhart Terrace, where pavement parking was considered an issue. Council officials and supporters of the pavement parking ban were there to see a parking attendant check the street for vehicles parked on the pavement.

David Hunter, convener of Living Streets Edinburgh, was delighted to see the scheme get under way.

“Pavements are for people, they are not places where cars should be. They inconvenience everyone really and they can be quite a hazard for a lot of people,” he said.

"This has been a long battle to get a parking ban on pavements. It's a very happy day. Obviously the proof of the pudding is in the enforcement. But I think a lot of motorists have realised it's not a sensible thing to do to park on the pavement, so hopefully people will leave them for pedestrians."

Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener, said: "Today marks the start of the enforcement of Edinburgh's pavement parking ban – long overdue. This is a huge step towards making a more equal city."