Pavement Parking

At our February meeting, a question was asked about when Aberdeen City Council were to start implementing the legislation regarding vehicles being parked on the pavement.

Councillor Derek Davidson undertook to enquire with council officials and we have the following response: 

"Dear Councillor,

Thank you for forwarding us your constituent’s enquiry regarding the start date for the pavement parking enforcement in Aberdeen. Details of the scheme are available on our website at the following link:  https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/roads-transport-and-parking/pavement-parking

A citywide survey, where our consultants assessed roads and pavements in Aberdeen using standards laid out by the Scottish Government, has just been concluded. The survey was necessary to identify areas where an exemption from the pavement parking prohibitions is appropriate in Aberdeen. Based on the Scottish Government standard, pavements that may be exempted from this prohibition must have the following features:
• Layout that allows for a width of 1.5 metres of the footway to remain unobstructed when any part of a vehicle is parked on it;
• A layout that the passage of an emergency vehicle would be impeded by the presence of a vehicle parked on the carriageway.

Please note that alongside the Scottish Government criteria, each street will be considered based on its individual merits and in the context of the immediate area. Hence, the road functionality and usage will be considered. For example, the presence of bus stops, cycle lanes, traffic calming, street furniture, etc. will be considered.

We are now in the process of analysing the survey result and reviewing our consultant’s recommendations. At the end of this process, Aberdeen City Council will propose the exemption of some pavements from the pavement parking ban. Pavement parking exemption will require a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process to be undertaken, which will include public consultation. A consultation exercise will be carried out through newspaper adverts and street notices in the streets identified for exemption. If objections are received, we will report to the committee; otherwise, the schemes will be implemented, and the enforcement of the pavement parking will commence.

Although the Scottish Government announced that pavement parking enforcement can start from 11 December 2023, enforcement in Aberdeen is expected to start around autumn 2024 as a TRO must be acquired for the exempted pavements. Aberdeen City Council will allow a grace period while publicity about this prohibition is shared."