The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Regeneration Committee has launched a call for written evidence from all interested parties as part of its Stage 1 consideration of the Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill. This Bill was introduced into the Scottish Parliament, by Sandra White MSP, on 20 May 2015.
Organisations and individuals are invited to submit written evidence to the Committee setting out their views on the provisions of the Bill. Those submitting evidence should feel free to address any, or all, of the policy issues contained in the Bill.
Read the Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill
Purpose of the Bill
The Bill seeks to prohibit parking on any footpath, on a road adjacent to a dropped footpath/kerb (or footpath where the road has been raised to meet the height of the kerb) or double parking (where no part of the vehicle is within 50 cm of the edge of the road) on all public roads in built up areas in Scotland. Under current legislation, it is an offence to drive on the footpath but the position is less clear with regards to casual or occasional parking.
These provisions are to be enforceable “as if imposed” by a traffic regulation order (TRO) under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
There are several exceptions to these prohibitions, such as where a vehicle is being used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or when it is parked in a designated disabled parking space. Exempt areas can also be set up as a TRO by local authorities under the1984 Act.
Committee’s call for evidence
The Committee invites all interested parties to submit written evidence on the Bill. It would be helpful if responses could consider the following questions:
- What are your experiences of parking of a footway or on a road next to a dropped kerb or double parking?
- There are a number of exceptions whereby parking on a footpath, next to a dropped kerb or double parking would be permissible. Do you have a view on these exceptions?
- What exceptions should be allowed, if any, to allow a vehicle to wait whilst parked on a footpath, next to a dropped kerb or double parked?
- The Bill would allow local authorities to designate areas as being exempt from these restrictions. Do you have a view on what the criteria for exemption should be?
- Enforcement of the Bill would be the responsibility of the Police (via fixed penalty notices) in areas where parking is criminalised or local authorities (via penalty charge notices) in areas where parking has been decriminalised. Do you have any comments in relation to how the Bill would be enforced?
- Are there any equality issues that arise as a consequence of the proposals in the Bill?
How to submit your evidence
[email protected]
Alternatively, hard copy responses can be sent to the Clerk to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, Committee Office, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP.
The closing date for receipt of submissions is 5pm on Friday 6 November 2015.
Before submitting your evidence please read the Parliament’s policy on treatment of written evidence by subject and mandatory committees.