Parking on pavements is generally a nuisance and can often be dangerous.  Scottish Government legislation passed last year banned it while allowing some limited exemptions.  Enforcement has now been passed to local authorities.  CEC has given notice that it will enforce the ban from 29 January with no exceptions.

For most of the city, roads are wide enough to accommodate parking while those who live in the medieval centre and certain other very densely populated areas have long acquaintance with highly restricted parking.  However, for certain locations, notably outside the city centre where access to a car is more important or where streets are unusually narrow this ban introduces very practical difficulties.

There are streets which are so narrow that if residents cease parking on the pavement passage of emergency vehicles or waste collection lorries will become impossible.  In some locations residents have developed the informal practice of pavement parking down one side of the street simply to allow passage of local traffic and keep one pavement clear for disabled access etc. The no-exceptions approach ignores these practicalities and could of itself lead to dangerous consequences.

Residents in such areas may find that their nearest legal parking option is some distance away in wider adjoining streets where there may already be parking pressures.  They query whether this is fair or equitable. These issues are especially acute for disabled persons or simply the more elderly.  It is unclear how disabled parking spaces will be managed. There are concerns that the pursuit of revenue-generating ‘fines’ will mean an especial focus on ‘compromised’ narrow residential streets as ‘easy targets’.

Some are asking whether enforcement is being rushed and whether more detailed preparation and consultation could have avoided the issues.  Comparisons are being drawn with other local authorities who appear to be adopting a more common-sense and flexible approach.  “No exceptions” appears to rule out any mechanism to seek exemptions.

Is your community council affected?  If so, EACC would like to hear from you.

Bill Rodger, Trinity CC.