Parking on pavements is generally a nuisance and can often be dangerous.  Scottish Government legislation passed last year banned it while allowing some limited exemptions.  Enforcement has now been passed to local authorities.  CEC has given notice that it will enforce the ban from 29 January with no exceptions.

For most of the city, roads are wide enough to accommodate parking while those who live in the medieval centre and certain other very densely populated areas have long acquaintance with highly restricted parking.  However, for certain locations, notably outside the city centre where access to a car is more important or where streets are unusually narrow this ban introduces very practical difficulties.

There are streets which are so narrow that if residents cease parking on the pavement passage of emergency vehicles or waste collection lorries will become impossible.  In some locations residents have developed the informal practice of pavement parking down one side of the street simply to allow passage of local traffic and keep one pavement clear for disabled access etc. The no-exceptions approach ignores these practicalities and could of itself lead to dangerous consequences.

Residents in such areas may find that their nearest legal parking option is some distance away in wider adjoining streets where there may already be parking pressures.  They query whether this is fair or equitable. These issues are especially acute for disabled persons or simply the more elderly.  It is unclear how disabled parking spaces will be managed. There are concerns that the pursuit of revenue-generating ‘fines’ will mean an especial focus on ‘compromised’ narrow residential streets as ‘easy targets’.

Some are asking whether enforcement is being rushed and whether more detailed preparation and consultation could have avoided the issues.  Comparisons are being drawn with other local authorities who appear to be adopting a more common-sense and flexible approach.  “No exceptions” appears to rule out any mechanism to seek exemptions.

Is your community council affected?  If so, EACC would like to hear from you.

Bill Rodger, Trinity CC.

19 Apr 2023: Edinburgh's Transport Future; the door opens on a major public consultation.

Cllr. Scott Arthur, Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee, calls it 'probably one of the biggest and most important consultations' undertaken by the City Council. It runs from 17 April to 9 July. 

What is the goal?: To effect the transition towards 'a less congested, more liveable, healthy and sustainable capital' with a buoyant economy, all within the big-picture goals of the City Mobility Plan 2030 and Edinburgh Net Zero 2030 strategic targets. Projected delivery is by way of five Action Plans covering Active Travel, Public Transport, Parking, Road Safety and Air Quality. 

I attended a consultation session yesterday. Don't brush aside or understimate the commitment, thought and endeavour that are going into this massive change project, even if it's not all to your liking. Make a start by getting involved in the consultation programme. Here is the online link to begin with.

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/cmp/

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10 Mar 2023: Action Plan Framework

CEC Placemaking and Mobility Team is 'seeking to engage stakeholders' on five draft actions plans which have been prepared to support the delivery of the approved City Mobility Plan (CMP). There are three alterative Workshop dates; 18, 19 or 21 April (09.30 to 13.00). You are invited to request participation by the close of 17 March: Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The draft action plans cover Active Travel, Public Transport, Road Safety, Parking and Air Quality, each in support of 'the emerging citywide Circulation Plan and associated street-space allocation framework....helping us make difficult decisions about how to prioritise the limited space in our streets'.

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Transport Scotland's National Transport Strategy sets out the vision for Scotland’s transport system for the next 20 years. The vision is underpinned by four interconnected priorities: Reduces Inequalities, Takes Climate Action, Helps Deliver Inclusive Economic Growth and Improves our Health and Wellbeing.

The Strategy does not identify or present specific projects, schemes, initiatives or interventions, but sets out the strategic framework within which future decisions on investment will be made.

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