Enforcement of a national pavement parking ban in Perth and Kinross will commence on at the beginning of next year.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking, double parking, and parking across dropped kerbs which aims to improve the safety of pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues, visual impairments, and parents or carers with pushchairs.
Perth and Kinross Council has now announced it will bring the new rules into force on January 6, 2025 – with council bosses assessing 2000 streets to determine which areas are worst affected.
Economy and infrastructure committee convener councillor Eric Drysdale said: “Vehicles parked on pavements stop people from walking safely down streets and can be particularly hazardous for people with disabilities or those pushing prams or buggies, especially if they are forced onto the road to get by.
“They can also cause damage to pavements, causing a trip hazard and are expensive to repair.
“Councils have been able to enforce the ban on pavement parking since last year. We’ve reviewed around 2000 streets in Perth and Kinross and will be focusing our efforts on those area where we know it is a particular problem for residents.
“But our hope is that people will be aware of the new rules and will park appropriately and safely so there is little need to issue fines.”
Centre for Inclusive Living in Perth chairperson Cindy Godfey-McKay said: “Pavement parking is a complex problem that can cause real problems for pedestrians, but particularly for wheelchair users, people with mobility or visual impairments and those with prams or buggies.
“The difficulty for me, being registered blind, with approximately 15 per cent residual vision, and regularly using a wheelchair, due to rheumatoid arthritis, is that if there is a vehicle is on the pavement, I don’t see it until the last minute, then I have the difficulty of knowing where the next drop kerb is, to go down and around the vehicle.
“This could mean me having to go along the road for quite a distance, as I can’t see where the drop kerb is to go back up onto the pavement, after the vehicle.
“This is a very difficult and dangerous thing to have to do.”
Exceptions to the ban permitted under the Act include:
■Police, ambulance, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, HM Coastguard, or naval or air force purposes.
■Roadworks, removal of traffic obstructions, waste collection by local authorities, or postal services.
■Urgent or emergency health care by registered medical practitioners, nurses, or midwives.
■Assistance at an accident or breakdown.
■Delivering or collecting goods, provided the vehicle is parked for no longer than necessary (up to 20 mins).