By Adam Morris
Council bosses in Edinburgh have brought in hundreds of thousands of pounds through new pavement parking fines.
Data obtained by 1919 Magazine shows how some city streets have racked up hundreds of individual fines, paid by drivers who have blocked footpaths.
Motorists on one city centre road – East London Street – have amassed 258 fines since the law change was introduced in January 2024.
In that time, Edinburgh Council has received £412,000 in fines, clocked up by 8,654 contraventions.
The local authority maintains that the policy improves the on-street environment, and several charities are very supportive – pointing out that drivers are responsible for parking their vehicle considerately.
Pavement parking causes particular challenges for wheelchair users and people with sight loss.
But critics say the new legislation – which is also in place in other Scottish local authorities including Glasgow – only serves to hit hard-pressed motorists in the pocket.
The figures were obtained by 1919 through freedom of information legislation.
They reveal how some specific city streets accounted for hundreds of the fines, which are levied at £100 and reduced by half if paid within 14 days.
“These figures reveal some streets are being hit more than others, which residents will feel is deeply unfair”
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative Lothians MSP
The clear top spot went to East London Street, a busy residential road near the capital’s famous Mansfield Tranquair.
It was followed by Turnhouse Road, near Edinburgh Airport, then Main Street in Balerno, a suburb to the west of the city.
Further analysis of the data found streets in and around the city centre and Leith were the most likely to receive fines.
“Pavement parking laws are clearly not changing driver behaviour,” said Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Lothians.
“And they’ve become a nice little earner for the city council.
“These figures also reveal some streets are being hit more than others, which residents will feel is deeply unfair.
“On top of the plans to roll out extortionate parking charges and the ill-judged low emission zones, and consulting on a congestion charge, it all makes Edinburgh an unnecessarily difficult city for driving.”
Drivers were also guilty of breaking the law in other famous streets.
Six fines were issued on Princes Street, two on George Street and three on the Royal Mile.
Canongate, the road closest to the Scottish Parliament where politicians are often dropped off and picked up, accounted for eight fines.
And four penalties were issued on Charlotte Square, which houses the official residence of the first minister.
Despite the high number of fines issued, many support the scheme.
“The issue of pavement parking has disappeared in many streets across Edinburgh”
Cllr Stephen Jenkinson
Guide Dogs Scotland said it has made a “real difference” for the safety of blind and partially sighted pedestrians.
And Living Streets Edinburgh, a charity campaigning to make the city pedestrian-friendly, said it makes the capital more attractive.
Labour councillor Stephen Jenkinson, transport and environment convener, said: “Since we first introduced these changes almost two years ago, the issue of pavement parking has disappeared in many streets across Edinburgh.
“While we’d like to ultimately see zero fines, the overall decreasing trend shows the policy is working with drivers modifying their parking habits accordingly.
“The pavement parking ban was introduced to provide a safe and accessible environment for everyone, especially those with sight impairments, mobility issues or pushing buggies.
“I’m proud we took the lead in Scotland to make our streets as safe and accessible as possible.”
Top 20 streets to recieve pavement parking fines
| No | Street | Number of fines |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East London Street, EH7 | 258 |
| 2 | Turnhouse Road, EH12 | 176 |
| 3 | Main Street, Balerno, EH14 | 172 |
| 4 | Boswall Green, EH5 | 149 |
| 5 | Annandale Street Lane, EH7 | 125 |
| 6 | Eastfield Road, EH28 | 122 |
| 7 | Albion Place, EH7 | 120 |
| 8 | Geissler Drive, EH6 | 108 |
| 9 | Hawkhill, EH7 | 90 |
| 10 | Sandilands Close, EH16 | 88 |
| 11 | Kimmerghame View, EH4 | 81 |
| 12 | London Road, EH7 | 79 |
| 13 | St Clair Street, EH6 | 77 |
| 14 | Rankin Road, EH9 | 68 |
| 15 | Lower Granton Road, EH5 | 63 |
| 16 | Weir Street, EH11 | 63 |
| 17 | Lanark Road, EH14 | 62 |
| 18 | Loaning Crescent, EH7 | 60 |
| 19 | Melrose Drive, EH6 | 57 |
| 20 | Fyfe Lane, EH6 | 55 |