Over 500 pavement parking fines issued in Glasgow since ban enforced

More than 570 fines have been issued in Glasgow since the enforcement of a ban on pavement parking began last month.

Penalty charge notices of up to £100 are now being handed out for pavement parking, dropped kerb parking and double parking.

The start of enforcement in early March came after over 400 warnings were issued to vehicles found to be breaching the new regulations in February.

Fines — reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days — are given for any pavement parking that forces pedestrians onto the carriageway.

Double parking and parking next to a dropped kerb are also immediately liable to receive a penalty charge notice.

It is hoped the regulations will improve road safety for vulnerable pedestrians, such as those with disabilities or pushing prams.

An update to councillors on parking services in the city states: “Since these powers came into effect in Glasgow, 572 penalty charge notices for pavement parking have been issued.”

It adds that members of the public can report issues or concerns through the council’s website, which also has full details of the streets where no exemption or further assessment is needed.

Enforcement will be targeted in areas where complaints about parking behaviour have emerged. Some areas had been flagged up before fines began to be issued.

Parking attendants can also issue fines for pavement parking when they encounter it. An extra 100 parking attendants are in the process of being recruited, with over 300 applications received.

An initial assessment of the city found there is no exemption to the pavement parking ban on most of Glasgow’s streets. These are streets where parking restrictions are already in place or where the road is at least 7.5 metres wide, which allows safe passage for a fire engine when cars are parked on both sides of the road.

The council previously urged drivers to check its online map.

Many streets are currently undergoing further assessment on whether an exemption could be considered.

There are exemptions in the legislation for pavement parking in certain situations, such as the use of emergency service vehicles or waste collection services, postal deliveries, the delivery of urgent medical assistance, assisting an accident or breakdown or delivering or collecting goods for up to 20 minutes.

When enforcement began, Cllr Angus Millar, SNP, city convener for transport, said: “Pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs create road safety hazards across Glasgow and put vulnerable pedestrians and wheelchair users in danger every day.

“Forcing people to walk on the carriageway in direct conflict with traffic is unacceptable and enforcing the new restrictions will make our street safer for all road users.

“Double parking and dropped kerb parking also cause significant issues in streets around the city for pedestrians but also for drivers, who will find roads blocked and struggle to manoeuvre safely.”