Falkirk Pavement Parking Ban: Your Complete 2025 Guide to the New Rules, Fines, and Exemptions
Starting August 18, 2025, the Falkirk pavement parking ban comes into full effect, and a simple parking mistake could cost you a £100 fine.
This new enforcement, part of the wider Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, isn’t just a new rule; it’s a critical move to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility. It aims to clear the way for everyone, especially wheelchair users, the visually impaired, and parents with prams.
This definitive guide explains exactly what the rules are, how enforcement will work, how to pay or appeal a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), and—most importantly—it clears up the dangerous myths about exemptions.
A Falkirk Driver’s Guide: What is Actually Banned?
The new rules outlaw three specific types of parking.
1. Pavement Parking & Parking on Verges
This is the main rule. It will be an offence to park with one or more wheels on any part of a pavement. This also includes grass verges, which are legally considered part of the pavement.
According to Falkirk Council, this enforcement applies across the entire area, unless a street is specifically signposted as an exemption. [Falkirk Council Pavement Parking Information]
2. Double Parking
The ban also targets double parking. This is defined as parking more than 50cm from the kerb. This practice is dangerous as it blocks the road, forcing other drivers into oncoming traffic and potentially delaying emergency vehicles.
3. Blocking Dropped Kerbs
This rule causes the most confusion. The ban makes it an offence to park at a dropped kerb. This primarily applies to kerbs lowered for pedestrian or wheelchair access.
Dropped Kerb Confusion: What You Must Know
- BANNED: Blocking a dropped kerb at a pedestrian crossing.
- BANNED: Blocking a dropped kerb that gives access to a shared path.
- NOT BANNED (with caution): Parking across a private driveway’s dropped kerb with the resident’s permission. While the national Transport (Scotland) Act doesn’t specifically penalise this, it’s risky. If you block someone in or cause an obstruction, you could still face issues.
When Does the Ban Start and How Much is the Fine?
Start Date: August 18, 2025
The official start date for enforcement and issuing fines is Monday, August 18, 2025. Falkirk Council, which approved the enforcement plan in May 2025, has stated that advisory notices will be issued in the weeks leading up to this date to help drivers adjust.
The Fine: How the £100 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) Works
The penalty for breaking any of these new parking rules is a £100 fine.
This is issued as a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The fine is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. The PCN can be affixed to your vehicle by an enforcement officer or sent by post to the registered keeper.
The “Myth vs. Fact” Guide to the Falkirk Pavement Parking Ban
This is where most drivers will get caught out. Do not assume you know the exemptions; the new rules are strict.
Myth: “I have a Blue Badge, so I’m exempt.”
Fact: THIS IS FALSE. This is the most critical and dangerous myth about the new rules. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 provides no general exemption for Blue Badge holders. Even with a valid badge, you will be fined £100 if you park on a pavement. This is confirmed by Transport Scotland and multiple council enforcement guides.
Myth: “I was only unloading for a few minutes.”
Fact: This is a limited exemption, and it likely doesn’t apply to you. There is a 20-minute exemption allowed for commercial vehicles (like a delivery van) to load or unload if there is no other reasonable place to park. This exemption does not apply to regular drivers picking up or dropping off passengers.
Myth: “There are no ‘No Parking’ signs, so it’s allowed.”
Fact: This is backwards. The new law operates on a “banned by default” principle. Pavement parking is now illegal everywhere in Falkirk, unless you see a specific, official sign on an “exempted street” that allows it. The absence of a sign means the ban is active.
Who is Genuinely Exempt?
Genuine exemptions are very limited and apply to:
- Emergency services (police, fire, ambulance) responding to an incident.
- Vehicles being used for essential roadworks.
- Drivers who have been given express permission by a police officer.
The Pedestrian’s Reality: Why the Ban is Now Law
This ban isn’t about revenue; it’s about accessibility and safety. For years, pedestrian safety has been compromised by vehicles blocking walkways.
Falkirk Council has highlighted the “daily obstacle course” this creates. In their official communication, local resident Allan McBride described his experience as a wheelchair user as a “nightmare,” stating he is often forced into the road to get past badly parked cars. This law is designed to end that.
Your Action Plan for the Falkirk Pavement Parking Ban
What to Do Instead: Parking Alternatives in Falkirk
The simplest way to avoid a fine is to use designated parking.
- Utilise council-run car parks.
- Use marked on-street parking bays.
- Only park on a street with clear signs indicating it is an exempted street for pavement parking.
How to Report Illegal Pavement Parking
If you see a vehicle causing an obstruction by parking on the pavement after August 18, 2025, you can report illegal parking directly. The council manages this through its Parking Enforcement team. [Report Illegal Parking on Falkirk Council Website]
Received a PCN? Your 3-Step Action Plan
If you receive a fine, here is your plan.
- Don’t ignore it. The fine will only increase.
- To pay the reduced rate: You have 14 days from the date of issue to pay the reduced £50 charge. The PCN itself will have instructions on how to pay online or by phone.
- To challenge the fine: If you believe the PCN was issued incorrectly, you can appeal a PCN. You must make a formal, written challenge.
Final Words
The Falkirk pavement parking ban is a major change for every driver in the area. From August 18, 2025, the £100 fine, the strict rules on dropped kerbs, and the lack of a Blue Badge exemption are the new reality.
This law is ultimately about community safety and respect. Checking your parking habits now will protect your wallet and, more importantly, make Falkirk’s pavements accessible and safe for everyone.
For a full list of council car parks or to see the formal process for exemption requests, visit the Falkirk Council transport website.
FAQs
When does the pavement parking ban start in Falkirk?
The ban will be fully enforced from Monday, August 18, 2025.
What is the fine for pavement parking in Scotland?
The fine is a £100 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), which is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Are Blue Badge holders exempt from the Falkirk pavement parking ban?
No. Blue Badge holders are not exempt and will be fined for parking on the pavement.
Can I park on the pavement outside my own house?
No, not unless your street has been assessed and officially signposted as an “exempted street” by the council.
What is the “20-minute rule” for pavement parking?
This is a limited exemption for commercial vehicles (e.g., delivery vans) to load or unload for up to 20 minutes, and only if there is no other reasonable place to stop. It does not apply to regular drivers.
How do I report someone parking on the pavement in Falkirk?
You can report illegal parking directly to Falkirk Council through their website or by contacting the parking enforcement team.
What is classed as a dropped kerb?
This is any part of the kerb that has been lowered to meet the level of the road, typically for pedestrian crossings, wheelchair access, or driveway access.
Why is pavement parking being banned?
It is being banned to ensure the safety and accessibility of pavements for all pedestrians, particularly people with disabilities, the visually impaired, and parents with prams, who are often forced into the road by obstructions.
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