First day of Glasgow City Council pavement parking fines

Drivers caught parking on the pavement on most streets across Glasgow will face fines following the enforcement of a new ban from Tuesday.

Under powers brought in on January 29, penalty charge notices can be issued against vehicles parked on the pavement on most of the city’s streets.

Enforcement will also be taken against vehicles that are double parked or parked next to dropped kerbs.

There will not be signage to notify drivers of the new fines – but roads where there are exemptions will be marked.

Initially, warning notices were handed out to help drivers adjust to the changes.

All parking fines in Glasgow are now £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

IT issues delayed the rollout of the ban, which the Scottish Government allowed from December 2023. Edinburgh introduced the measures in January last year.

Which roads are covered by the pavement parking ban?

Glasgow City Council said the restrictions are being introduced to improve road safety for pedestrians, such as people with disabilities or pushing prams, who can be forced onto the road by inappropriate parking.

An initial assessment of the city’s streets found there will be no exemption from the ban where parking restrictions are already in place or where the road is at least 7.5 metres wide, which allows the safe passage for a fire engine when cars are parked on both sides of the road.

The council has produced a map of streets where there is no exemption and where further assessment is needed. Drivers are being urged to check the map.

Pavement parking bans are actively being enforced in 17 council areas in Scotland, Transport Scotland confirmed.

A spokesman said: “Prohibitions for pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs were introduced by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 and are aimed at promoting, supporting and advancing the rights of pedestrians to ensure that our pavements and roads are accessible for all.

“The last of the secondary legislation to support this came into force in December 2023, giving local authorities the tools to enforce these prohibitions by issuing Penalty Charge Notices of £100 (reducing to £50 if paid within 14 days). Local authorities also have powers to exempt certain areas of pavement from the national ban, should they feel it necessary and if certain criteria are met.

“Local authorities are at various stages of readiness to enforce. Some local authorities have also been issuing warning notices ahead of actual enforcement commencing to help instil behaviour change against inconsiderate parking.”

Councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Transport, welcomed the move to issue penalty charge notices to help create safer city streets.

He said: “Pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs create road safety hazards across Glasgow and put vulnerable pedestrians and wheelchair users in danger every day. People with mobility issues or visual impairments, or those who are pushing a buggy or pram for example, will often struggle to get around their community because of pavement parking.

“Forcing people to walk on the carriageway in direct conflict with traffic is unacceptable and enforcing the new restrictions will make our street safer for all road users. Double parking and dropped kerb parking also cause significant issues in streets around the city for pedestrians but also for drivers, who will find roads blocked and struggle to manoeuvre safely.

“While some streets may be considered for exemptions or further parking restrictions in advance of pavement parking enforcement, the majority of streets in the city have already been determined to require no exemption and enforcement in these streets will begin this month. Drivers should check out the Council’s website to find out the current status of their street.”