Glasgow pavement parking ban comes into force

Bans on pavement parking have already come into effect in other cities

Motorists in Glasgow now face a £100 fine for parking on pavements as a ban comes into force.

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

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.

The ban will be enforced across the city - although some streets could be made exempt.

Existing pavement parking rules include exceptions for emergency service vehicles or waste collection vehicles, postal deliveries, and the delivery of urgent medical assistances.

Those assisting an accident or breakdown or delivering or collecting goods for up to 20 minutes will also be exempt.

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 - the distance required for a fire engine to pass safely even when cars are parked on both side of the road.

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

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

To be in breach of the rules a vehicle would have one or more of its wheels touching the pavement.

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.

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