Motorists in Falkirk will face £100 fines from Monday, August 18, as new pavement parking regulations come into force. The penalty, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days, applies to parking on pavements, low verges, obstructing dropped kerbs, and double parking.
The rules stem from Scottish Government legislation introduced in 2019 and 2023. Falkirk Council issued 1,800 warning notices since May 2024 to raise awareness. All 2,360 roads in the area were assessed, with 21 streets under review for exemptions where enforcement will be delayed.
Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: 'Our pavements are vital pathways for pedestrians, especially those with mobility challenges and visual impairments. Enforcement is now necessary to protect pedestrians and improve safety.' He added that blocked pavements force people into live traffic and obscure tactile cues for the visually impaired.
Allan McBride, a severely sight-impaired Falkirk resident, said parked cars on pavements disrupt his planned routes and force him onto the road. The UK has 46.5 million licensed drivers and 40 million licensed vehicles as of June 2024.
