Campaigners are calling on Scottish councils to strengthen enforcement of the pavement parking ban introduced in December 2023, as recent data indicates that the issue has worsened rather than improved. According to a Scottish Walking and Wheeling Survey conducted in 2025, 54% of Scots reported encountering cars parked on pavements, up from 46% in 2023 shortly after the ban’s enactment.
The survey, which sampled over 2,000 adults, revealed that a quarter of respondents have been forced to alter their walking routes due to blocked pavements. The ban was designed to improve pedestrian safety, particularly for vulnerable groups such as wheelchair users, individuals with visual impairments, and parents with pushchairs.
Cars illegally parked on pavements restrict the mobility of these groups, often forcing them onto busy roads, which raises safety concerns. Beyond pavement parking, other barriers deterring walking and wheeling include poor pavement conditions, safety worries, and limited access to local amenities.
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Ian McCall, Policy and Campaigns Officer, emphasized: “Walking offers numerous physical and mental health benefits and fosters healthier communities. It is unacceptable for people to be hindered from walking and wheeling safely due to others’ parking behaviour. Proper enforcement of this ban will promote safer, more accessible streets and help reduce traffic-related injuries.
“As the 2026 Scottish Parliament election approaches, we urge all political parties to commit to fully implementing this law and improving the safety and accessibility of walking and wheeling across Scotland.”