Motoristsare set to face £100 penalties from next week as"essential" traffic regulations come into effect for the first time in one part of the UK.

Falkirk Council is set to ban pavement parking from Monday, August 18, under new rules stemming from Scottish Government laws introduced in 2019 and 2023.

The legislation makes it an offenceto park in four specific locations: on pavements, on low verges beside roads, in a way that obstructs dropped kerbs and double parking. From 7 May 2024, the Council issued 1800 warning notices to raise awareness and give drivers time to adjust. In other stories, a woman claimed evil 'scammers tried to trick me out of £1,600 but four words gave the game away'.

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From 18 August 2025, anyone caught parking on pavements will be hit with a £100 penalty, which reduces to £50 if paid within 14 days. Over the past year, all 2,360 roads across the Falkirk Council area were assessed, with 21 streets being reviewed for exemptions.

These locations won't see enforcement until the reviews are completed, reports Yorkshire Live. Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: "Our pavements are vital pathways for pedestrians, especially those with mobility challenges and visual impairments. It's important that motorists park considerately to ensure safe access for everyone."

"Last year, we started issuing advisory notices to help people understand the change. But enforcement is now necessary to protect pedestrians and improve safety across our communities."

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Meiklejohn added: "When vehicles block these spaces, people are forced into live traffic, often without warning or protection, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Pavement obstructions also block tactile cues like textured paving and kerb edges, making it harder to navigate safely and independently."

Allan McBride, a Falkirk resident who is "severely sight impaired", frequently maps out his journeys beforehand to guarantee secure passage through public areas. "Parked cars on pavements can disrupt these plans, making it harder to get around and requiring me to step onto the road," he further cautioned.

As per the latest figures, there are a total of 46.5 million people with a driving license in the United Kingdom. The number has increased by more than two million in the past two years. At the end of June 2024, reports revealed that there were 40 million licensed vehicles.