Drivers have been warned of new traffic rules coming into effect today, which will see thousands slapped with £100 penalties for parking offences.
Aberdeenshire Council has started enforcing pavement parking today (Tuesday, November 11) for the first time, following other Scottish regions which have been increasingly cracking down on the inconsiderate driving practice.
The county council, which announced the ban on July 1, 2024, alongside Aberdeen City Council, had previously issued warnings to drivers, but from today, rule-breakers will be fined.
During the initial period, the council issued more than 1,845 warnings to drivers to encourage them to change their parking habits before official fines came into effect.
As part of the new rules, drivers can be fined for pavement parking, double parking or parking at dropped kerbs across the region.
Drivers must also not park on pavements, including within cul-de-sacs or at puffin, toucan, or zebra crossings. They must also avoid parking at the end of the street.
Under the penalty measures, drivers who ignore pavement parking rules will be fined £100, although the council noted that this can be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Councillor Alan Turner said: “Pavement parking creates serious risks, especially for vulnerable pedestrians.
“People using wheelchairs and mobility aids, and those with visual impairments, can be forced into the road when pavements are blocked, significantly increasing the chance of accidents.”
Drivers caught pavement parking will now be slapped with £100 penalties
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Pavement parking became enforceable across Scotland in December 2023 after the Government introduced new powers for local authorities.
Aberdeen City Council began enforcing the ban immediately, but outside of the city, the county council chose to issue warnings instead.
The city council said at the time that the ban would improve accessibility, particularly for vulnerable road users and pedestrians who need to access pavements and dropped kerbs easily.
The nationwide ban also aims to create more accessible spaces for pedestrians who were being increasingly forced onto the roads due to inconsiderate pavement parking.
The council had previously issued warnings to drivers who parked on the pavement
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GETTYCouncillor Turner added: “As a council, we carefully assessed the region’s pavements and applied appropriate exemptions where legislation would allow.
“I am very impressed with the level of education our small parking team has undertaken, and I thank all those who have changed their parking habits, which is making our network safer for pedestrians.”
However, he explained that the council has to be realistic with expectations for the ban as they have limited resources, and “cannot be in every street every minute of the day or outside every school at peak times”.
Mr Turner said he would encourage residents with ongoing concerns around pavement parking to contact the council and hopefully “put an end to pavement parking in Aberdeenshire”.
While the ban aims to encourage responsible parking, drivers have been left furious over what they deem to be another punishing measure.
Taking to social media, one person shared: “Aberdeenshire Council, this is a joke. Another set of rules that you can’t enforce and expect the under-resourced police to pick up the slack. About time to get rid of the Community Wardens and replace them with Traffic Wardens.”
Another user warned that pavement parking in the region is “utterly selfish” as there are plenty of safe places to park in the area.
Aberdeenshire follows several other Scottish regions which have been increasingly opting to enforce pavement parking. In September, Fife Council also introduced the ban alongside East Dunbartonshire Council.