More UK drivers face parking ban and £100 fine from this month

More UK drivers face parking ban and £100 fine from this month
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More UK drivers face a new major parking ban with a £100 fine. Glasgow's new pavement parking ban is set to come into force this month, in a move that could trigger backlash from the city's motorists. Glasgow is the latest Scottish city to implement a ban on pavement parking, with Aberdeen and Edinburgh already having bans in place.

A Department for Transport spokesperson told This is Money: "Accessibility is a priority, and we recognise the problems pavement parking can cause for people, especially those with mobility or sight impairments. We will be reviewing the options available to us."

The new Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, previously voiced her support for such measures, in order to protect vulnerable road users. In 2018 she posted on her website: "Current laws on pavement parking are often costly for councils who are having to repair damaged pavements but are extremely dangerous for vulnerable road users.

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"There are ways that local councils, along with the police, can act to tackle on-street and pavement parking, such as under legislation governing obstruction and dangerous parking, and designating limited areas of 'no pavement parking'."

If motorists are caught contravening the new rules they will face a £100 fine, which would be reduced to £50 if paid within two weeks. Alternatively, the vehicle could be impounded. "The message here is clear: pavement parking is unsafe, unfair and illegal, and you could be fined up to £100 for it," Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said.

"Scotland is the first of the four nations to make pavement parking illegal nationwide. This change in legislation is a step towards developing communities that are better able to support active travel." Responding, a driver said: "Whilst it would be infinitely preferable for vehicles to stay off pavements, I suspect that there would be grid lock in a lot of residential roads if it were to be implemented. The repercussions for emergency services would be dire."

"Councils have contributed to the problem by not ensuring residential streets for new homes are not Wide enough as well as restricting the provision of off street parking in some instances. Whilst I sympathize with and understand the issues other problems will ensue as access on some roads for. The likes of vans, bin lorries and even cars themselves is likely become an issue like it does outside schools with the school run. Solving one problem but creating others never helps anyone," a second said.