Aberdeenshire Council to enforce pavement parking ban from this week

Aberdeenshire drivers could face fines from Tuesday if they continue to park on pavements, double park, or block dropped kerbs, the council has warned.

Under the nationwide pavement parking ban introduced by the Scottish Government in December 2023, enforcement teams will now issue fines of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

Aberdeenshire Council has previously focused on education and awareness, issuing over 1,845 warnings to encourage compliance.

Despite most drivers responding positively, reports of persistent pavement parking have prompted the move to active enforcement.

Council officers will be visiting known problem areas in the coming weeks to ensure compliance.

Pavement parking can force pedestrians, including wheelchair users, families with buggies, and people with visual impairments, into the road, increasing the risk of accidents.

Residents are urged to follow the new rules or face fines as the council moves from warnings to full enforcement.

Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “Pavement parking creates serious risks, especially for vulnerable pedestrians.

“People using wheelchairs and mobility aids, families with young children and buggies and those with visual impairments can be forced into the road when pavements are blocked, significantly increasing the chance of accidents.

“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.

“We do, however, have to be realistic with expectations – our enforcement teams have limited resources and they cannot be in every street every minute of the day or outside every school at peak times.

“I would therefore encourage those with ongoing concerns around pavement parking to contact us so we can target our resources accordingly and hopefully put an end to pavement parking in Aberdeenshire.”