Praise for drivers’ behavioural change as pavement parking enforcement begins on November 4

Aberdeenshire Council has praised motorists who have adjusted their behaviour since the national pavement parking ban was introduced, helping create safer, more accessible communities. 

The local authority has been undertaking a programme of education to encourage motorists to avoid pavement parking, double parking or parking at dropped kerbs and has seen a marked improvement across the region. 

From Tuesday, November 4 however, motorists who continue to flout the ban will now be fined £100 – reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

The crackdown follows months of education and awareness-raising around the nationwide ban on pavement parking introduced by the Scottish Government in December 2023.

The ban was introduced to create safer and more accessible spaces for pedestrians as pavement parking can force people onto roads and increases the risk of accidents.

Since the law came into force, Aberdeenshire Council has worked hard to raise awareness locally, issuing more than 1,845 warnings in a bid to encourage drivers to change their parking habits. Officers say most motorists have responded positively, helping to make pavements safer and more accessible. 

However, reports of persistent pavement parking have prompted the council to now take enforcement action and teams will be visiting known problem areas in the coming weeks.

Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “Pavement parking creates serious risks, especially for vulnerable pedestrians. People using wheelchairs and mobility aids, families with young children and buggies and those with visual impairments can be forced into the road when pavements are blocked, significantly increasing the chance of accidents.

“As a council we carefully assessed the region’s pavements and applied appropriate exemptions where legislation would allow. I am very impressed with the level of education our small parking team has undertaken and I thank all those who have changed their parking habits which is making our network safer for pedestrians.

“We do, however, have to be realistic with expectations – our enforcement teams have limited resources and they cannot be in every street every minute of the day or outside every school at peak times. I would therefore encourage those with ongoing concerns around pavement parking to contact us so we can target our resources accordingly and hopefully put an end to pavement parking in Aberdeenshire.” 

Motorists are encouraged to check details of local exemptions at: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/pavementparking 

Further information about the national campaign is also available at: www.roadsafety.scot