From the end of this month, Edinburgh City Council will become the first local authority in Scotland to ban parking on pavements, punishable by a £100 fine. Others are expected to follow suit shortly.
The topic was discussed yesterday by Herald columnist Catriona Stewart, who confessed to having a degree of sympathy for those who transgress.
Today, however, one of our readers strongly contests that view.
Keith Swinley of Ayr writes:
"I can understand Catriona Stewart’s dilemma over the issue of pavement parking, but I’m afraid I can’t agree with her conclusion to have a degree of sympathy for the miscreants.
My daughter is visually impaired but whilst she retains some of her sight her independence for which she fights with unflagging energy) depends on mobility training which basically involves her identifying then with professional assistance walking and memorising familiar or regular routes which enables her to get about town and visit shops, theatre and the like without assistance. It’s like a human satnav and, incidentally, quite amazing to observe.
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Cars parked partially or completely on the pavement present obvious difficulties and to quote her she has often found herself "spreadeagled over the boot of some eejit's BMW”. Not amusing after the umpteenth time and more seriously, she often has to step out onto the road to get back on her memorised path. With the increase in the numbers of (silent) EVs you can imagine her rising anxiety.
Ms Stewart rightly points out that better solutions need to be found but, in the meantime, laziness cannot be allowed to trump disability and pavement parking must be clamped down on (couldn’t resist that pun)."
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