New parking restrictions in a major city are expected to come into force over the next few weeks which will see drivers fined heavily if caught breaking the rules.
From July 15, drivers in the Scottish city of Stirling must abide by strict parking rules which prevent them from parking on pavements.
The new rules are designed to tackle the problems caused by inconsiderate parking, especially for people with mobility issues, visual impairments and those with pushchairs.
Stirling Council warned that from July 15, penalties will be issued to drivers who ignore the rules including a £100 fine, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days of issue.
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Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow have also introduced pavement parking fines
Stirling Council is the latest local authority in Scotland to roll out tougher parking measures and falls behind Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.
The new rules are aimed at making the streets of Stirling safer and more accessible for all residents.
The ban applies to parked and stationary vehicles on private and public roads, where one or more wheels are on the footway.
Under the rules, drivers cannot park in front of, or alongside another vehicle or, more than 50cm away from the edge of the carriageway.
However, there are exceptions to the rule. The police, ambulance, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard, or naval, military or air force purposes can park on the pavement at any time.
If it is being used for, or in connection with roadworks, the removal of an obstruction to traffic, the collection of waste by or on behalf of a local authority or postal services, the exemptions will also apply.
Drivers can also park on the pavement if the motor vehicle is being used by a registered medical practitioner, nurse or midwife for urgent or emergency health care.
Blue Badge holders, people loading or making deliveries and people making passenger drop-offs are also exempt.
Kim Cramond, from Dunblane, who has multiple sclerosis and has been a wheelchair user for three years, said she welcomes the new enforcement stating it will make pavements safer for her and her family.
Cramond said: “As a wheelchair user, I’m at a lower height to most people and if I have to negotiate around a car that’s parked on the pavement and move onto the road, it’s really dangerous for me and my young son as motorists might not see us.
“We can’t always return immediately to the pavement either, as there may be no dropped kerbs nearby that will allow us to safely negotiate a way off the road and back onto the footways.”
She added that people park their cars “without thinking, perhaps to save it from being scratched”.
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Blue Badge holders are exempt from the pavement parking measures
GETTYCramond added: “I’ve done it too in the past but keeping a car safe isn’t more important than keeping people safe.
“I’m pleased to see enforcement coming in because it’s a chance to educate motorists. Pavements are for people, not vehicles."