Enforcement of a ban on pavement parking in Aberdeen is to start on 1 July 2024 after agreement at a council committee today.
The move by the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee will ensure the safety of people in wheelchairs, people with pushchairs or buggies, or those with mobility problems as they will be able to walk or wheel without having to go onto a road to get around a vehicle parked on a pavement.
Vice-convenor of the Net Zero, Environment and Transport committee Councillor Miranda Radley said: “Pavement parking can cause real problems for people using wheelchairs, buggies, and prams. The pavement parking ban will make Aberdeen’s pavements safer for everyone.”
The ban will start on 1 July 2024 and enforcement by City Wardens will start on that date. A penalty charge of £100 is payable in respect of a contravention. If a penalty charge is paid before the end of a period of 14 days beginning with the date on which notice of the penalty charge is given, the penalty charge is reduced by 50%.
The ban comes after the Scottish Government introduced legislation to ban pavement parking in Scotland with implementation by local authorities. Aberdeen City Council carried out a city-wide assessment of roads and associated pavements using the criteria set by the Scottish Government. During this assessment, some pavements were identified for exemption from the prohibition, for example, to ensure safe access for emergency vehicles.
Several streets are being considered for exemption from the ban as otherwise, they might compromise road safety, impede vehicular access to properties on the street, have reduced visibility, or sustain damage to vehicles. They are Cairngorm Gardens, Murray Terrace, Elmbank Terrace, Jackson Terrace, South Square, Hunter Place, Froghall Avenue, Leslie Road, Bedford Avenue, Elm Place, Countesswells Road, and Great Northern Road. The Committee instructed officers to begin the consultation on these exemptions.
Other streets where pavement parking currently exists have been reviewed and have not met the criteria. Pavement parking prohibitions will be enforced on those roads. However, alternative traffic management measures may also be proposed for some of these routes, to guide drivers to safe and improved parking patterns. Motorists are also reminded they can use the convenient PayByPhone app to pay for on-street parking using their smartphone.
These additional traffic measures - waiting restrictions - will be promoted through the Traffic Regulation Order process under delegated authority with a report being made to this committee, if objections are received.
A report to committee said the new legislation also includes a ban on double parking and parking at dropped kerbs.