Kerb appeal with a difference is launched by the Council!

Wheelchair user backs Council appeal urging drivers to adhere to pavement ban 

An Orkney wheelchair user is appealing for drivers to be more considerate when it comes to parking in the county. 

Terri-jane “Tj” White, an Administration Assistant at the Council, says that many drivers are ignoring the Scottish Government ban on pavement parking. 

Tj, who has been reliant on a wheelchair since suffering a stroke around 13 years ago, says she has been forced to move out onto the road because of vehicles parked up on pavements. 

She has also had to travel some distance back or forward to find dropped kerbs that are not being obstructed by illegally parked vehicles. 

“I have had to go out onto the road many times because of parked vehicles and delivery vans. Any object causing an obstruction is infuriating for a wheelchair user, but not only that it can be downright dangerous if you must find a dropped kerb to move out onto the road to pass a vehicle and then find another dropped kerb to get back onto the pavement. 

“Similarly, if a vehicle is obstructing a dropped kerb, you either must go back or go forward to find another one to allow you to get down from the pavement safely. If you are lucky enough to be able bodied, then it is difficult for you to understand just how exhausting this can be.” 

The legislation is the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 which was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 10 October 2019, receiving Royal Assent on 15 November 2019. The Act provides local authorities with powers to enforce the new national parking prohibitions introduced by the Act. The new prohibitions place restrictions on pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs at known crossing points. 

The legislation also allows local authorities to issue fines of up to £100 if you ignore this prohibition. 

Tj said: “I do think there is a lack of knowledge around this, but it is also people just not considering others like myself. You are lucky if you can drive somewhere, park up and walk – please imagine how difficult journeys can be when you are in a wheelchair. Just put yourselves in our shoes.” 

The Council’s Service Manager (Roads and Grounds), Kenny Roy, said: “It’s important that we raise awareness of the new Act and ensure that drivers are taking heed of the daily difficulties that people in wheelchairs, with impaired vision, mobility problems, pushing prams or buggies face as a result of inconsiderate – and now illegal – parking on pavements and at dropped kerbs. 

“Even if you think you may have left enough space, you have only parked two wheels on the pavement or you will not be parked there for long, pavement parking is now prohibited and very frustrating and dangerous for those who may be forced onto a road and into traffic. 

 “The key aims of the prohibition is to improve accessibility, particularly for vulnerable road users, by allowing walkers and wheelers the ability to use pavements and dropped kerbs without being impeded by parked vehicles. 

“With this in mind, the Council is raising awareness of the Act among Orkney’s driving community.” 

Read more about the legislation at https://roadsafety.scot/campaigns/pavement-parking/