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More than 8,000 fines in pavement parking crackdown

BBC A street lined with a number cars parked on the pavement.BBC
Edinburgh was the first city in Scotland to implement a pavement parking ban

More than 8,000 fines have been issued to motorists in Edinburgh in the first year of the city's pavement parking ban.

In January 2024, Edinburgh became the first city in Scotland to enforce the ban, which sees drivers fined £100 for parking on pavements, at dropped-kerb crossing points and for double parking.

The new rules were designed to prevent pedestrians, especially people in wheelchairs and those pushing buggies, being forced on to the road by vehicles on the pavement.

A similar ban came into force in Glasgow last week.

'Headed in the right direction'

According to figures released by the City of Edinburgh Council, up to 26 January 2025 there were 5,153 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued for footway parking, 1,612 for dropped-kerb parking and 1,629 for double parking.

The £100 fine is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

Edinburgh council said the figures showed an overall downward trend in the number of PCNs being issued - with the exception of the busier summer months.

The council's Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, said the trend shows that the city is "headed in the right direction".

He said: "Since we first introduced these changes, we've seen many residents and visitors modify their parking habits accordingly, with the problem of pavement parking disappearing in many streets across our city."

A guide dog looks into the camera. It has golden fur, brown eyes and a pink nose and is wearing a luminous yellow lead which identifies it as a guide dog.
People with sight loss have welcomed the ban, according to Guide Dogs Scotland

The ban was supported by charity groups such as Guide Dogs Scotland and Living Streets Edinburgh.

Mike Moore, the policy and campaigns manager at Guide Dogs Scotland, said that it has "made a real difference" for people with sight loss.

He said: "The new rules have helped to ensure that people in the capital can get out and about safely, without the fear of being forced on to the road by inconsiderate parking."

Living Streets Edinburgh Group Convener, David Hunter, described the ban as the "most significant change" to improve safety in Edinburgh since the introduction of widespread 20mph speed limits.

A Penalty Charge Notice tucked beneath a window wiper
Glasgow is the third council in Scotland to introduce a pavement parking ban

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

Highland Council began enforcing its ban last February and Glasgow City Council introduced their pavement parking restrictions on 29 January 2025.

In Glasgow, warning notices will be handed out initially as drivers adjust to the changes.

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