Improving Parking in Scotland

When I was in a wheelchair and later on crutches after a serious cycling accident I could not access a couple of streets in Portobello, Edinburgh, because cars were parked on the pavement. Instead, I had to take a much longer route to visit my GP on Portobello High St, and to catch buses etc. My friends with small children cannot push prams and buggies on the pavements on these streets, and are forced into the middle of the road. When on my bicycle, I often can't access dropped curbs and am forced into dangerous manoeuvres to get through parked cars on and off cycle paths.

In Portobello and Leith. Every day in Portobello (Regent St in particular, and Marlborough St) and a number of streets in Leith.

Inconsiderate, unwilling to walk to their houses or shops from further way. Believe they have more 'rights' than pedestrians. Lack empathy and understanding on the impacts of people with disabilities, and or people with children, from their actions. I have been told by a local Edinburgh councillor that people bought properties with the 'right to park' outside their houses and this should not be removed!

We need legislation that is clear - that allows local authorities to easily and cheaply designate no pavement parking across wide geographical areas (not street by street) and with low cost enforcement. The current situation, where a pedestrian has to complain to the police and provide evidence, is ludicrous. (This was explained to my by my local police officer).

Exemptions should be exceptions and should only be granted if they do not prevent access by pedestrians, people with disabilities, people with prams, cyclists etc No exemption should be allowed if it endangers a pedestrian/child/cyclist or prohibits reasonable access on a pavement. Pedestrians should never be forced onto streets with oncoming traffic.

See above

In a way that is cost effective, easy to understand, and where the costs are born by the pavement parkers - not by pedestrians/cyclists or council tax payers.

This seems sensible and would help with consistency.

A significant number of people will have to find other places to park their cars. However, this is not a reason not to do it.

There should be reduced traffic movement in the area as a result.

Pedestrians, people with wheelchairs etc will have much better access around the streets of Portobello, including accessing the beach.

Residential streets in Portobello.

This is a strange question. Pedestrians, cyclists and bus users all spend money in town centres. By making it easier to travel by sustainable transport you will increase footfall in town centres. For example you could probably park around 10 bikes in one car space outside a shop. Streets that are congested with traffic (with associated pollution) are not condusive to people spending time in shops, local cafes etc. Priority parking should be for blue badge holders and car club users

See above.

Yes - if is easy to do

Prevents their access to essential services, shops etc.

Yes - but this should be for a limited period only until there is more market penetration. The main problem is that these vehicles tend to be more expensive and there is an equalities issues here. Spaces should not be free.

Same reason that blue badge spaces should be monitored - to avoid abuse.

Parking wardens

An end to pavement parking would provide positive impacts for people with disabilities, and pregnant women. The current approach in Scotland is discriminatory and puts drivers' desires ahead of access for people in wheelchairs, on crutches etc.

Children should be safer if pavement parking/cropped curb parking is ended. In Portobello parents with pushchairs are forced into the middle of the street because they can't push buggies up the streets due to pavement parking. In addition, pavements should be safe places for children to learn independence, to start walking to school alone etc. Current conditions prevent this - and parents are rightly nervous.

There will be an initial burden re implementation and enforcement. However once things have settled down, more people will be able to walk and cycle safely and with confidence. Reduced parking on pavements means reduced pavement maintenance costs - which currently falls to all council tax payers (and central govt funding to LAs) - this saving can be used for other essential services/infrastructure.

There should be an improvement - with some limited reductions in vehicles in areas with high levels of pavement parking. This could result in less noise, lower emissions, and improved streetscape and urban realm.

It is very important that the Scottish Government sends a strong signal through this legislation that pedestrians and cyclists, whether or not they have disabilities, are able to use pavements /dropped curbs safely and comfortably across the country to access essential services, shops, leisure activities, visit family etc. This would support a number of Scottish Government policies on health, physical activity, health equalities, social inclusion etc.