Drivers have been warned of new enforcement being introduced next week, which could see thousands of motorists slapped with £100 penalties.
Falkirk Council will begin enforcing a ban on pavement parking from Monday, August 18, with drivers urged to pay close attention.
The new rules will come into effect next week to help keep pavements clear of vehicles
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FALKIRK COUNCIL
The move aims to encourage sensible parking and protect pedestrians and vulnerable users from having to go on the road due to vehicles clogging up the pavement.
Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: “Our pavements are vital pathways for pedestrians, especially those with mobility challenges and visual impairments. It’s important that motorists park considerately to ensure safe access for everyone.
“Last year, we started issuing advisory notices to help people understand the change. But enforcement is now necessary to protect pedestrians and improve safety across our communities.”
She explained that people with sight loss are particularly affected by pavement parking as they are “structured, predictable routes”.
Drivers can be fined £100 for pavement parking
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GETTYMeiklejohn added: “When vehicles block these spaces, people are forced into live traffic, often without warning or protection, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
“Pavement obstructions also block tactile cues like textured paving and kerb edges, making it harder to navigate safely and independently.”
Allan McBride, from Falkirk, shared that as someone who is “severely sight impaired”, he often plans routes in advance to navigate public spaces safely.
“Parked cars on pavements can disrupt these plans, making it harder to get around and requiring me to step onto the road,” he warned.
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He explained that by marking small changes, such as keeping pavements clear, it can “really help make public spaces more accessible”.
Last year, the council began issuing warnings to drivers for inconsiderate parking, with a total of 1,800 being handed out to raise awareness of the incoming changes.
From next Monday, anyone parking on pavements will receive a £100 fine, although this can be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
The council detailed how, over the last year, it assessed all of the 2,360 roads across the area and identified 21 streets which would be considered for exemptions. As part of the new rules, these locations will be exempt from enforcement until the considerations are complete.
Pavement parking is currently illegal in London and parts of Scotland | GETTYThe council will exclude several vehicles from the new rules, including emergency services, utility works, medical practitioners and delivery vehicles.
Vehicles loading or unloading at any premises will also be exempt from fines, as long as this is within a 20-minute window. Vehicles providing assistance at an accident or breakdown will also be excluded from penalties.
The council stated that streets in the area need to meet certain criteria to be exempt. This includes having insufficient width of the carriageway to allow emergency service vehicles to pass when vehicles are fully parked on the carriageway.
The footway also needs to be wide enough to host a parked vehicle and have an “unobstructed space” of 1.5 metres between the vehicle and the edge of the footway furthest from the carriageway for pedestrians.
