Pavement parking ban comes into force across Glasgow

A ban on pavement parking on most streets in Glasgow has come into force on Wednesday.

Under the new powers, penalty charge notices can be issued against vehicles parked on the pavement on most of the city’s streets.

Enforcement will also be taken against vehicles that are double parked or parked next to dropped kerbs.

There will not be signage to notify drivers of the new fines – but roads where there are exemptions will be marked.

However, initially, warning notices will be handed out to help drivers adjust to the changes.

All parking fines in Glasgow are now £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.

IT issues have delayed the rollout of the ban, which the Scottish Government allowed from December 2023. Edinburgh introduced the measures in January last year.

Which roads are covered by the pavement parking ban?

Glasgow City Council said the restrictions are being introduced to improve road safety for pedestrians, such as people with disabilities or pushing prams, who can be forced onto the road by inappropriate parking.

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

The remaining streets are now subject to a further phase of assessment to check whether other measures to control parking are appropriate before an exemption can be considered.

The council has produced a map of streets where there is no exemption and where further assessment is needed. Drivers are being urged to check the map.

Councillor Angus Millar, the city’s transport convener, 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.

Pavement parking bans are already in force in other council areas in Scotland.

Perth and Kinross and South Lanarkshire councils began enforcement earlier this month. Edinburgh became the first city in Scotland to bring in a ban in January last year.