Thousands of drivers have been fined for breaking traffic rules in place across Edinburgh with the local authority raking in huge amounts from fines.
Edinburgh City Council revealed that in the one year since its pavement parking ban began, it has issued more than 5,000 penalties to drivers caught breaking the rules.
Enforcement began on January 29, 2024, with drivers caught parking on the pavement risking a £100 fine, although this can be halved if paid early.
More than one year on, the council shared how it issued 5,153 fines for footway parking, 1,612 for dropped kerb parking and 1,629 for double parking.
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Drivers can be fined £100 if caught parking on the pavement
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Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: "Since we first introduced these changes one year ago, we’ve seen many residents and visitors modify their parking habits accordingly, with the problem of pavement parking disappearing in many streets across our city.
"The overall gradual decrease in PCN fines for pavement parking also shows we’re headed in the right direction, ultimately, we want to see zero fines. Every driver is responsible for parking their vehicle considerately, and where this would not cause an obstruction to the pavement or road."
He explained how the ban aimed to provide a safe and accessible environment for everyone, especially those with sight impairments, mobility issues or pushing buggies.
When enforcement began last year, parking attendants were given the power to issue penalties to vehicles parked on pavements, some verges, at crossing points or double parked.
Councillor Kayleigh O’Neill stated that the ban has been "so well received" in Edinburgh, despite thousands of drivers being fined.
In response, one driver shared how the council has "become menaces to the people they are supposed to be serving by imposing fraudulent fines and more unnecessary restrictions on people trying to go about their daily lives".
The commenter said: "Give people a break by focusing more on how to make people's lives easier and not put more obstacles in their way, including punitive fines to fleece more money from the public."
But O’Neill explained how strong awareness, resident cooperation and council enforcement have meant that disabled people, elderly people, and those with buggies and prams all have an easier time getting around.
She added: "So many streets that have been blighted in the past are now free and accessible for people who move around the city like me who uses a power wheelchair."
Other areas of Scotland have launched similar schemes with the Highland Council introducing a ban on January 24 last year while Glasgow rolled out new enforcement on January 28, 2025.
Mike Moore, policy and campaigns manager at Guide Dogs Scotland, noted how the restrictions have "made a real difference" to the lives of blind and disabled people.
He continued: "By keeping pavements clear, the new rules have helped to ensure that people in the capital can get out and about safely, without the fear of being forced on to the road by inconsiderate parking."
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Pavement parking ban has helped prevent pedestrians from going onto the roads
GETTYDavid Hunter, Living Streets Edinburgh Group Convener, added: "The City of Edinburgh Council deserves credit not only for being the first in Scotland to apply the national ban on pavement parking, but also for adopting a ‘no streets exempt’ policy."
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