PAVEMENT parking fines could be introduced in Clydebank this year.

It comes after a change in legislation – the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 - saw local authorities granted powers to enforce parking offences.

This was officially brought into force on December 11 last year.

Parking enforcement powers in the region currently sit with Police Scotland however a spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) said they expect to take over in 2024.

Once this transfer of powers takes place, people caught parking on the pavement, double parking, or parking at dropped kerbs could face a £100 fine.

A WDC spokesperson said: “Parking enforcement powers in West Dunbartonshire currently sit with Police Scotland. 

“Once the powers have been transferred to the council – which is expected this year – enforcement of pavement parking will be programmed.

“Work to understand the impact this will have on both drivers and pedestrians is ongoing and our priority is to ensure this legislation improves safety on roads as well as pavements throughout West Dunbartonshire.”

So what does this mean?

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced the framework for a national ban on pavement parking, double parking, and parking at dropped kerbs to make it easier for local authorities to ensure pavements and roads are “safer and more accessible to all”.

Local authorities will be able to issue penalty charge notices set at £100 – although this does reduce to £50 if paid within 14 days.

There are however some exemptions that apply to the ban.

Exemptions:

  • Emergency services or medical practitioners in emergency situations
  • Vehicles responding to an emergency or accident
  • Certain deliveries and collections
  • Vehicles used for undertaking works on roads or removal of obstructions

The Scottish Government notes that these exemptions are only valid if specific criteria are met and there is no other reasonable parking available.

The council can also exempt certain areas of pavement from the ban if they feel it necessary.

An exemption can be considered in two cases; if the layout or character would allow for a width of 1.5 metres of the footway to remain unobstructed when any part of a vehicle is parked on it or, the layout or character of the carriageway associated with the footway is such that the emergency vehicles would be delayed/prevented from passing if a vehicle was parked on it.

Exempt areas must be clearly signposted.

For further information on the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 visit HERE.