Following new Holyrood legislation, Edinburgh has become the first local authority in Scotland to enforce a ban on pavement parking.
In advance of the change, which began here on 29 January, Transport & Environment Convener, Scott Arthur noted on social-media platform X that enforcement is supported by all five of the capital’s political parties stating:
“I know that the ban will mean that things will have to change in many streets in Edinburgh, but it is important to note that the process of parking on the footpath was already illegal. The same is true of parking in such a way that the road is blocked to other vehicles. (Check what the Highway Code has to say about both points.)”
He continued: “It is also important to note that the parking ban is being introduced to create a more equal city. Vehicles parking on footpaths represent a significant barrier to people with disabilities, and that’s why the ban has the support of campaigning charities like Guide Dogs Scotland.”
The Broughton Spurtle welcomes the development: commercial parkers should comply with rules and/or adapt practices to find legal alternatives. But we doubt sufficient resources exist for timely and widespread enforcement.
