Nearly 9,500 fines issued for pavement parking in Edinburgh since ban began
Almost 9,500 fines have been handed out for pavement parking in Edinburgh since the ban was enforced two years ago.
New figures from the City of Edinburgh Council show 9,467 penalty charge notices have been issued for footway parking since enforcement began in January 2024 - when the capital became the first local authority in Scotland to take action under the national rules.
The ban covers parking on pavements, at dropped kerbs and double parking, with the aim of making streets safer and more accessible for pedestrians.
Despite the high overall total, the council says enforcement figures show a downward trend, suggesting drivers are changing their behaviour. Last year alone, the number of pavement parking fines fell by more than 700 - from 5,098 in 2024 to 4,369 in 2025.
Over the same two-year period, 3,497 fines were issued for parking at dropped kerbs and 4,165 for double parking.
The council says pavement parking can have a serious impact on people who use wheelchairs or mobility aids, those who are blind or partially sighted, and parents with prams or buggies - often forcing them into the road. It can also damage pavements, creating trip hazards and increasing repair costs.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, said the ban was already making a visible difference across the city.
He said many streets have seen pavement parking disappear altogether, adding that clearer, wider pavements are being welcomed by residents. While the council ultimately wants to see zero fines issued, he said the falling numbers show the policy is “headed in the right direction”.
Disability and walking groups have also welcomed the figures.
Guide Dogs Scotland says people with sight loss now feel safer moving around the capital, without the fear of being forced onto busy roads by parked cars. Living Streets Edinburgh described the ban as one of the most significant changes for pedestrian safety in the city in recent years.
Edinburgh’s approach has since been followed by most other local authorities across Scotland, many of which have introduced similar enforcement schemes.