Aberdeen City Council (ACC) has agreed to enforce a ban against pavement parking and hold a consultation to expand a 20mph speed limit into built-up areas.
The ban on pavement parking was agreed at a council committee yesterday and will be enforced from July 1.
It comes after the Scottish Government introduced legislation to ban pavement parking in Scotland with implementation by local authorities.
A penalty charge of £100 will be payable unless the charge is paid before the end of the 14-day period, in which the penalty will be reduced by 50%.
The Net Zero, Environment and Transport committee argued the parking ban will ensure the safety of pedestrians with mobility issues or pushchairs.
Vice-convenor of the committee, Miranda Radley said: “Pavement parking can cause real problems for people using wheelchairs, buggies, and prams. The pavement parking ban will make Aberdeen’s pavements safer for everyone.”
A report to the committee also said the new legislation will include a ban on double and dropped kerb parking.
Safer urban roads
Also on the agenda for the authority was the expansion of 20mph speed limit in built-up urban areas.
ACC announced that a consultation will be held to identify the streets that could become safer with the expansion of the speed limit.
The council committee approved the move after a report to members said evidence shows that if you hit a pedestrian at 30mph, they are seven times more likely to die than at 20mph.
ACC co-leader and committee convener Ian Yuill said: “Making Aberdeen’s roads safer is a key priority for the Council. I welcome the decision by the Committee to consult on introducing more 20mph speed limits. This will give residents the opportunity to comment on proposals for lowering the speed limit in their area.”
The report submitted to the committee said the Scottish Government has developed a national strategy for 20mph zones and limits in Scotland, aiming to ensure all appropriate roads in built-up areas have a safer speed limit of 20mph by 2025. This includes roads within 100 metres of an educational setting, community centres, hospitals or a place of worship.
There are currently 1,203 roads in Aberdeen which already have the 20mph limit.
A full list of the roads which have been proposed to be 20mph can be viewed at Committee Report_20mph speed limit.pdf (aberdeencity.gov.uk).