Edinburgh to enforce pavement parking ban from 29 January

Edinburgh city council has confirmed it will begin enforcing a ban on pavement parking from January 29.

It had committed to be the first city in Scotland to implement the ban, which could see drivers who mount the kerb facing a £100 fine.

Local authorities were given new powers by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, which came into effect last month.

Parking at dropped kerbs and double parking will also be banned, with an exemption for delivery drivers.

The rules are designed to protect pavement users - especially those on wheelchairs or pushing buggies - by vehicles taking up the pavement.

After assessing 5,000 roads in the city, Edinburgh council said it had written to residents in a small number of streets to help them prepare for the measures.

Transport convener, Scott Arthur, said: "These new rules are about making our streets safer and more accessible for everyone, in particular those with visual impairments or mobility issues.

"I am proud that Edinburgh is leading the way on enforcing the ban, and that all political parties here agree that no street should be exempt.

"I would expect everyone to adhere to the new prohibitions, but we'll continue to monitor streets across the city to make sure the impacts on the wider network are minimal."

In England, parking on pavements is permitted unless it has been prohibited by a council, such as in Greater London - although police can intervene if a driver is causing obstruction.