Pavement parking comes underfire

A Rutherglen politician is backing the charity Guide Dogs Scotland as it highlights the challenges pavement parked cars create for blind and partially sighted people.

A survey by Guide Dogs Scotland showed that 97 per cent of blind or partially sighted people encounter problems with street obstructions, and 90 per cent of those had experienced trouble with a pavement parked car.

Rutherglen MSP Claire Haughey heard of the difficulties that councils face in trying to tackle the issue with their current powers, and why Guide Dogs Scotland is calling for a clear law on pavement parking.

Guide Dogs Scotland is supporting proposals in the Transport (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament that would prohibit pavement parking, except in areas which need a legitimate exemption.

Clare Haughey is supporting this Bill to give local authorities real power to properly tackle this problem.

“I’m grateful to Guide Dogs Scotland for discussing the issue of irresponsible parking on pavements and the dangers it presents to blind and partially sighted people,” she said.

“I’m supportive of measures to tackle the problem, however we must allow for legitimate exemptions. While there might be challenges in some streets, workable solutions can and should be found.

“One of the key provisions of the Transport Bill is to give local authorities the ability to promote exemptions from the national ban. Proper control will also make life easier and safer for other pavements users such as people in wheelchairs and folk with buggies and prams.”

Niall Foley, engagement manager at Guide Dogs Scotland, added: “Cars blocking pavements are a nuisance for everyone, but can be a real danger for people with sight loss, potentially forcing them out into the roads to get by.

“The powers that councils and police have at the moment aren’t sufficient to tackle the problem, and that’s why we are supporting the Scottish Government’s proposals in the Transport (Scotland) Bill.”