Ban pavement parking in the Highlands, Green MSP Ariane Burgess urges
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Ban pavement parking now, a Highland MSP has urged in a bid to keep footpaths safe for pedestrians.
Ariane Burgess, the Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands, has called for Highland Council to use new powers to introduce a full ban on pavement parking, with no exemptions except for emergency service vehicles.
The Scottish Government passed a law in 2019 to give local authorities the power to stop pavement parking. Powers to take action under the legislation will come into effect on December 11 meaning all councils will be free to enforce the ban.
Edinburgh City Council has already announced it will be enforcing a full ban as soon as it can.
Related: Furious residents on Inverness street blast Highland Council over parking 'free-for-all'
And Ms Burgess says the safety of pedestrians makes it of paramount importance that the Highland follow suit.
She said: “Our footways are for all of us, they are not extra parking spaces for cars.
“Yet, all over the Highlands we are seeing inconsiderate drivers parking wherever they want, deterring people from walking and wheeling and blocking the pavement for people with mobility issues.
“Nobody should have to put themselves in a vulnerable position because of cars being parked where they shouldn’t be. This will be an important step in ensuring that our streets and communities are safer for everyone.
“That’s why I am calling for Highland Council to use these new powers to introduce a full ban with no exemptions as soon as possible.”
