Council sets date for Glasgow pavement parking ban

Drivers in Glasgow will be fined £100 if they park on pavements on most streets in the city from Wednesday 29 January.

The new rules are designed to protect pedestrians, especially people in wheelchairs and those pushing buggies, who could be forced onto the road by inappropriate parking.

Warning notices will be handed out initially as drivers adjust to the changes. All parking fines in Glasgow are £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

Edinburgh was the first city in Scotland to enforce a ban on pavement parking in January 2024. London has had a ban in place since 1974.

More than 200 drivers were fined for violating the rules in Edinburgh a week after they came into force.

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

The Scottish government passed a law in 2021 that gave local authorities the power to stop pavement parking.

The legislation received ministerial approval in December 2023 which meant all councils could enforce the ban.

Highland Council began enforcing its ban last February.

Glasgow City Council said IT issues had delayed the roll-out of its ban.

There will be no exemption on streets where parking restrictions are already in place or where the road is at least 7.5m (24.6ft) wide, which allows safe passage for a fire engine when cars are parked on both sides of the road.

Remaining streets will be assessed to check if other parking measures are appropriate - before an exemption is considered.

Existing legislation on pavement parking includes exceptions such as the use of emergency service vehicles or waste collection vehicles, postal deliveries, the delivery of urgent medical assistances, assisting an accident or breakdown, and delivering or collecting goods for up to 20 minutes.

Glasgow City Council has produced a map of streets showing where there is no exemption and where further assessment is needed.

Councillor Angus Millar, the city's transport convener, said: "Pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs create road safety hazards across Glasgow and puts vulnerable pedestrians and wheelchair users in danger every day.

"Forcing people to walk on the carriageway in direct conflict with traffic is unacceptable and enforcing the new restrictions will make our streets 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."

Reporting by local democracy journalist Drew Sandelands.