Pavement parking ban

East Dunbartonshire Council is set to start enforcing the national pavement parking ban later this year. 

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking, double parking and parking across dropped kerbs, and powers have been granted to councils to enforce the legislation. 

The law aims to improve the safety of pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues, visual impairments, and parents or carers with pushchairs. 

Additionally, pavements are not designed to bear the weight of vehicles, and persistent parking can cause significant damage, causing a trip hazard and leading to expensive repairs. 

As part of the legislation, local authorities were given the power to enforce this law and issue fines through Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. 

To ensure our roads and pavements are safer and more accessible for everyone.

Parking on pavements, across dropped kerbs or double parking can:

• Make it dangerous for people to cross the road safely
• Force people using wheelchairs, guide dogs or pushing buggies onto the road, putting their safety at risk
• Cause significant damage to pavements
• Prevents people in wheelchairs from crossing the road where vehicles are parked next to dropped kerbs.

Certain exceptions to the ban are permitted under the Act. A fill list of exceptions can be found in Section 55 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. These include: 

• Police, ambulance, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, HM Coastguard, or naval or air force purposes 
• Roadworks, removal of traffic obstructions, waste collection by local authorities, or postal services 
• Urgent or emergency health care by registered medical practitioners, nurses, or midwives 
• Assistance at an accident or breakdown 
• Delivering or collecting goods, provided the vehicle is parked for no longer than necessary (up to 20 minutes). 

Additionally, a small number of streets in East Dunbartonshire will be exempt from the ban following a review. 

An external consultant was appointed by the Council to undertake an assessment of its road and footway network.  

They used strict criteria to identify 13 locations across East Dunbartonshire that were suitable for exemption orders to allow parking on the footway to ensure the safe passage of emergency vehicles. 

These locations are:

• Catter Gardens, Milngavie
• Endrick Gardens, Milngavie
• Ardlui Gardens, Milngavie
• Finglen Gardens, Milngavie
• Lammermuir Gardens, Bearsden
• Myrtle Square, Bishopbriggs
• Springfield Square, Bishopbriggs
• Springfield Crescent, Bishopbriggs
• Dumgoyne Avenue, Milngavie
• Kinglas Road, Bearsden
• Maxwell Avenue, Bearsden
• Glenburn Crescent, Milton of Campsie
• David Donnelly Place, Kirkintilloch.

To view the exempted streets plan, see the documents section below.

Incorrect parking on footways, double parking, and parking at dropped crossings can be reported to the Council by contacting Customer Services on 0300 123 4510 or emailing. While every report will be reviewed, the Council may not always be able to attend every street where incorrect parking is reported.