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Pavement Parking Prohibitions FAQ's

What do these new prohibitions mean?

These prohibitions apply to parked vehicles and stationary vehicles, whether or not the driver/owner of the vehicle is in attendance at the vehicle and whether or not the vehicle's engine is running.

What is the "pavement parking prohibition"?

This prohibition forbids vehicles to have one or more of its wheels on any part of the pavement.

    What is the "double-parking prohibition"?

    This prohibition forbids:

    • vehicles to park alongside or in front of other vehicles (it does not matter whether the vehicles' owners or drivers have an agreement with each other).
    • vehicles that are parked too far away from the edge of the carriageway (more than 50 cm).

    What is the "edge of the carriageway"?

    The edge of the carriageway can either be:

    • a painted solid white line.
    • a kerb.
    • where the surface of the carriageway meets its verge.

    What is the "dropped footway parking prohibition"?

    This prohibition forbids vehicles to be parked on a carriageway adjacent to a footway where, for the purposes of assisting pedestrians or cyclists to cross:

    • the footway has been lowered.
    • the carriageway has been raised.

    Are there any exceptions to the "pavement parking prohibition" and the "double-parking prohibition"?

    The following "situations" do not apply for the "pavement parking prohibition" and the "double-parking prohibition".

    • Vehicles being used for emergency service purposes (Police, Ambulance, Fire, Coastguard).
    • Vehicles being used to do works on roads, for the removal of obstructions to traffic, for the collection of waste by the Council or for delivering the postal service (Royal Mail only).
    • Vehicles being used by a registered medical practitioner, a registered nurse or a registered midwife providing urgent or emergency health care.
    • Vehicles delivering goods to or collecting goods from any premises (up to 20 minutes only).
    • Vehicles loading from or unloading to any premises (up to 20 minutes only).
    • Vehicles providing assistance at an accident or breakdown.

    The above exceptions can be allowed only if these activities cannot be carried out:

    • without the vehicle being parked on a pavement, however a space of 1.5 metres must be maintained on the footway between the vehicle and the edge of footway furthest from the carriageway to allow unobstructed pedestrian movement.
    • without the vehicle being double parked.

    Are there any exceptions to the "dropped footway parking prohibition"?

    Vehicles being used for the purpose of saving life or responding to another similar emergency.

    There is a dropped kerb at the driveway to my home, can I park in front of it?

    Yes, you can, however you are still bound by the "pavement parking prohibition". So, you cannot park on the pavement.

    If there is an existing restriction in place, such as double yellow lines, this restriction still applies.

    Someone else has parked over my driveway, can you help?

    Only in the case that one or more wheels of a vehicle are on the footway, then it would fall under the "pavement parking prohibition" and we would be able to enforce it.

    If this is not the case, then it could be classed as an obstruction, and this should be reported to Police Scotland on their non-emergency number 101.

    Which type of "dropped kerb crossing points" can be enforced?

    All pedestrian and cyclist crossings points where the kerbs are dropped on both sides of the road.    

    Are "raised crossing points" enforceable?

    Yes, the prohibition on parking at pedestrian/cyclist crossing points also applies where the carriageway has been raised to the level of the footway.

    Are taxis exempt?

    Taxis are not exempt, and drivers are expected to park or wait correctly at all times.

    Can I park on the grass verge of the carriageway?

    No, the new pavement parking prohibitions also include grass verges.

    What happens if access for emergency service vehicles, public transport vehicles and refuse collection vehicles is prevented by vehicles parking on the carriageway of my street?

    When this type of obstruction occurs, Police Scotland should be contacted on their non-emergency number 101.

    It is the responsibility of each driver to park their vehicle considerately and where this would not cause an obstruction to the road. If you cannot park with all four wheels on the carriageway without blocking traffic, you should park elsewhere.

    Are "disabled badge holders" exempt?

    No, disabled badge holders are not exempt from the new parking prohibitions.

    Where can I report pavement parking, double parking or dropped footway parking?

    You can report these on our website by reporting a parking problem.

    Can I pull over on the pavement to collect or drop off passengers?

    No, you would be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

    My pavement is wide with room for both cars and pedestrians - why can't I park there?

    The new legislation explains that exemptions should only be given in certain circumstances and pedestrians should be prioritised. If there is sufficient space on the carriageway for drivers to park, and still allow vehicles to pass, it is not appropriate to allow an exemption. Most pavements have not been designed to take the weight of vehicles and can be damaged by persistent pavement parking.

    I live in a cul-de-sac and there are very few pedestrians - do the prohibitions apply everywhere?

    Yes, the new prohibitions apply in all streets, irrespective of their design, length or purpose.

    Is there going to be "signage" to show me where I can't park?

    No, the default position is that parking on the pavement, double parking and parking across dropped kerb crossing points is banned. Signage will only be provided where there is a formal exemption to the rules.

    Do the prohibitions apply on private roads or privately owned pavements?

    Yes, if the road/pavement is available for vehicles/pedestrians to use, the prohibitions will apply irrespective of ownership.

    Is there going to be signage to show me where I can't park?

    No, the default position is that parking on the pavement, double parking and parking across dropped kerb crossing points is banned. Signage will only be provided where there is a formal exemption to the rules.

    Can my street be exempted from these rules?

    All roads within Glasgow will need to be assessed to determine whether an exemption to the prohibitions should be considered.

    This assessment will not just focus on each road individually, but it will assess the road in its context with its surrounding area.

    If you feel that all the following criteria can be applied to your street, then you can make a request for consideration of an exemption to be made to the prohibitions:

    1. The parking availability in your surrounding area is not sufficient to allow you to fully park on the carriageway, and;
    2. The width of the road is insufficient to allow emergency service vehicles to pass when vehicles are fully parked on the carriageway, and;
    3. The footway is wide enough to host the parked vehicle and have an unobstructed space of 1.5 metres between the vehicle and the edge of the footway furthest from the carriageway for pedestrians.

    However, it is acknowledged that each road may present a particular situation and a request can be made where this is the case also.

    Each request will be logged and assessed, therefore there is no need to make more than one request for the same street to be exempted.

    The outcome of the assessment will be published on this webpage along with the associated decision-making explanations.

    Please note that where parking on the pavement will be proposed then a statutory process will require to be followed and if pavement parking is introduced at the end of that statutory process then lining and signing will be installed on the pavement, in line with national legislation, to formally identify the area with an exemption.

    If you think you have a valid reason for a location to be considered for an exemption, and it meets the above criteria, you can complete the online form.

     

    How will I find out if my street is exempted from these rules?

    All roads within Glasgow will need to be assessed to determine whether an exemption to the prohibitions should be considered.

    This assessment will not just focus on each road individually, but it will assess the road in its context with its surrounding area.

    The outcome of the assessment will be published on this webpage along with the associated decision-making explanations.

    Where parking on the pavement will be proposed then a statutory process will require to be followed and if pavement parking is introduced at the end of that statutory process then lining and signing will be installed on the pavement, in line with national legislation, to formally identify the area with an exemption.

    If I have already submitted an exemption request via the online form, what is the next steps?

    Please note that you will not receive a response to your request as it has to go through an assessment process. Your request for an exemption will be logged and will be considered when your street is assessed.  Please do not contact the council as this process may take several months.

    Please continue to look at the interactive map to check the status of your street.  Once any future decisions are taken, they will be published on our website

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