Concerns have been raised about the relatively low number of streets in Renfrewshire proposed for exemption from the planned pavement parking ban.
Elected members believe the suggestions may not go far enough, with just 22 identified for special dispensation and only on one side in many instances.
The council can grant exemptions at specific streets where there is not enough space for emergency vehicles to achieve access without vehicles parking on the pavement or where there is at least 1.5 metres for pedestrians when a vehicle is parked on the pavement.
Meanwhile, drivers who park on pavements – which don’t qualify for exception – face being fined £100 from November.
Councillor Chris Gilmour, Labour group environment spokesperson and representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, raised the issue at Wednesday’s infrastructure, land and environment policy board.
He said: “I’m very concerned about the pavement parking legislation being implemented in Renfrewshire.
“I think in principle it’s an absolutely fantastic idea but I think in practice there are a number of pitfalls that we might fall into as a council.
“Looking at the areas which will be allowed to park on the pavements, there are not many and taking into consideration some of the roads infrastructure and the nature of the, I use for example, housing schemes that have been built, those are very narrow.
“People don’t have any run-ins or drives so to get off the road might be a problem. I would just maybe encourage the public to engage with the council up until September 11 to put their complaints in on this one.”
He expressed his hope there would be “enough flexibility in the system” to allow the local authority to look at the exemptions going forward and modify them where necessary.
Councillor James MacLaren, a Conservative representative for Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank, said he has been “inundated with emails” about the impending ban.
He raised the example of Yarrow Crescent, which is one of a number of streets in Bishopton where an exemption has been suggested on one side only.
Councillor MacLaren said: “I am concerned, like Councillor Gilmour, about the exemptions and while it’s a good thing in many places, a number of streets I feel are missing from the list of exemptions … I’m getting inundated with emails, particularly from residents of Bishopton where there are a number of streets in and around Yarrow Crescent in the Carrick estate.
“In this estate, only one side has been given an exemption. It’s a narrow road with narrow pavements but if cars park on both sides of the road, with only one side being on the pavement, it’s just going to block the street.
“You won’t get a bin lorry up there, let alone a car … It’s just going to cause a problem if the exemption is not applied to both sides.”
Gerard Hannah, the council’s head of climate, public protection and roads, assured elected members it would not be an “one and done process”.
He said: “What we’re really promoting here is the first batch of exemptions and obviously there’s a consultation process that’s ongoing … I know there’s been some correspondence around Yarrow in particular and officers from my team are meeting residents on site to go through that particular objection.”
Mr Hannah added: “To give members reassurance, I would imagine that we might still be at this policy board in a couple of years time still talking about potential exemptions.
“This is not going to be a one and done process. This will be over a period of time and, again to give that reassurance to members, when the exemptions are in place and the enforcement is due to commence, we will be adopting a very soft launch of this.
“It will not be wardens out in every street looking for people who are committing these offences. It would be evidence led where there are safety issues that are being presented.”
The consultation period closes on Wednesday, September 11. Comments can be submitted by emailing ei@renfrewshire.gov.uk or writing to the council’s director of environment, housing and infrastructure at Renfrewshire House.
For more information visit renfrewshire.gov.uk/new-parking-laws
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