Pavement parking exemptions update

East Ayrshire Council is moving forward with the next phase of implementing pavement parking legislation by adding additional streets to the exemption list following extensive assessment work across the authority area.

A report to Cabinet this week highlighted the significant progress made since the introduction of pavement parking enforcement in June 2025, including officers undertaking a second phase of street assessments in response to requests from residents, businesses and elected members.

A total of 89 additional street assessments have now been completed and following detailed review, it has been agreed that 28 streets will be exempt from pavement parking restrictions. 16 of these locations will require additional waiting restrictions to ensure traffic can continue to move safely and efficiently. New waiting restrictions will also be put in place at a further four locations which have not met the exemption criteria but would benefit from waiting restrictions to ensure the safe passage of vehicles.

The work forms part of the Council’s implementation of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, which introduced powers to prohibit pavement parking in order to help improve accessibility and safety for pedestrians, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and families with prams.

When enforcement began last year, parking attendants initially issued warning notices across East Ayrshire before moving to full enforcement. This phased approach generated a significant number of requests from members of the public, elected members and businesses for additional parking exemptions, which prompted the Council to carry out the second phase of assessments to ensure that local circumstances were fully considered.

Detailed survey work will begin immediately to incorporate the streets into a formal Pavement Parking Exemption Order. This statutory process will include public consultation, consideration of any objections and the installation of associated signs and road markings.

It’s expected that this process will take between six to 12 months, with the new exemptions coming into effect by June 2027.

Funding has been provided by the Scottish Government to support this assessment and implementation process and any income generated through the new enforcement powers will go towards the operational costs of the service or be reinvested in roads-related projects.

Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities, said: “The Council remains committed to delivering the pavement parking legislation in a balanced and practical way, and as part of this, we have listened carefully to the views of our residents and businesses when assessing and agreeing the additional streets that will become exempt from pavement parking restrictions.

“Our priority is to protect pedestrian access while recognising that, in some locations, exemptions are necessary to maintain the safe and efficient operation of our roads.

“We will continue to monitor the effects of the enforcement to ensure compliance with the Act while promoting road safety and accessibility across East Ayrshire.”

See the full list of streets that will be exempt from pavement parking restrictions:

Pavement Parking Enforcement Update – pavement parking enforcement update.pdf