Motorists have been warned that they risk being slapped with an expensive traffic fine after new council powers were given the green light.
North Lanarkshire Council in Scotland has launched new traffic enforcement rules which will make it illegal for drivers to park their cars on the pavement.
The new restrictions form part of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 which prohibits drivers from parking on the pavement in Scotland.
The law also makes it illegal to double park as well as park at dropped kerbs which are designed to allow pedestrians to cross the road safely. However, the law does not apply to dropped kerbs at private driveways.
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A pavement parking ban was approved by the council in February 2024
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The council revealed that the new enforcement powers will come into effect in early 2025 with traffic officers placing warning notices on vehicles parked illegally during the first few months instead of issuing fines.
Councillor Helen Loughran said: “Pavement parking puts pedestrians in danger, particularly wheelchair users, people with a visual impairment and families with children and buggies.
“If the pavement is blocked by a parked car, people may have to step onto the road to walk around it which puts lives at risk. Dropped kerbs give access for wheelchairs and buggies to cross the road safely, so if cars park over them it creates an unnecessary hazard.”
When enforcement begins, drivers will be able to reduce the £100 penalty by half if paid within 14 days.
The council explained that drivers parking on pavements prevents people from walking safely and can be hazardous for people with disabilities or those pushing prams or buggies.
Councils in Scotland were given the power to implement new parking rules from December 2023 with North Lanarkshire agreeing to roll out the changes in February 2024.
As part of the changes, traffic officers will be given new contravention codes that will appear on penalty charge notices.
This includes:
- Code 100 – Parked on a pavement or verge
- Code 101 – Parked next to a pedestrian dropped or raised crossing point
- Code 102 – Double parking
As part of the information campaign, the council responded to a question which asked: “What if cars, parked fully on the road, block streets because there is not enough space and prevent access for emergency services, public transport or refuse collection?”
In response, the council explained that parking in “such a manner” could constitute an obstruction to the road which should be reported to Police Scotland which may decide to take action against drivers of these vehicles.
It added: “It is the responsibility of each driver to park their vehicle considerately and where this would not cause an obstruction to the road. If you cannot park with all four wheels on the carriageway without blocking traffic.”
Under the rules, there will be certain exemptions for emergency services and medical practitioners in urgent situations.
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Vehicles used to work on roads will also be exempt from fines. Certain delivery and collection vehicles will also be spared if they are unable to wait on the road.
The rules dictate that the vehicle must leave 1.5 metres of footway width for pedestrians to pass with delivery vehicles only able to stay on the pavement for a maximum of 20 minutes.
