Pavement parking ban ‘by next year’

NEW laws to ban drivers from parking on pavements are set to be considered as early as next year.

A spokesman from Transport Scotland told a Sunday newspaper that a full review of the legislation would be complete by March next year, and that the ban had cross-party support.

The Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill was put forward by SNP MSP Sandra White earlier this year in a bid to crack down on drivers who were parking their cars on pavements to avoid parking fines.

Previously it had been difficult to legislate against as there was ambiguity as to where powers to do this would lie.

However after the implementation of the Scotland Act, legislation has been transferred to Holyrood, which will be able to focus on banning parking on pavements and parking beside dropped kerbs.

Sandra White said: “Reckless parking can make life extraordinarily difficult for those with mobility or sight issues, as well as many other pedestrians. It’s right that we make it clear that bad parking is unacceptable.

“It won’t be punitive, there will be an educational element to it too.”

A spokesman for the Institute of Advanced Motorists said it was not convinced that a complete ban would be workable in the real world.

He said: “Many streets, and councils, actually need or encourage the use of pavement parking to allow access for residents and emergency vehicles.”