All you need to know as pavement parking ban set to come into force across Argyll

The new law has so far been met with a mixed reaction. 

Jim Tolmie, chairperson of the Oban and District Access Panel, said: "They’re going to need to be careful with the broad-brush sweep they’re enforcing it with. 

"It’s not so much a town centre problem as it is in housing estates where footways are very narrow.

"Owners with hedges growing through into the pavement need to cut them back too, to maximise the space available. 

"The principle is good, but will be interesting to see how it’s enforced."

Andrew Spence, Chief Executive of Bid4Oban, said: "People shouldn’t be parking on pavements.

"I don’t think it will affect footfall to town centre businesses at all, if anything it will be beneficial, I feel.

"Parking on the pavements in Oban isn’t a major problem in the heart of the town. I don’t see much evidence of it in Oban."

There have been minor concerns about what the law will mean for certain streets and roads in Argyll. 

Mr Tolmie added: "I do feel it will cause problems in certain older established areas with narrower streets.

"I can recall one road in particular where people park on the footway to ensure that the road is wide enough for fire engines, so things like that need to be considered."

One local said: "I have no choice but to park on the kerb. If I keep four wheels on the road I keep having my wing mirrors hit."

Another said: "You cannot address the problem without addressing the cause also. This is fine for wide roads, but for the streets where you can barely get two cars past each other, this will be a problem."

Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, said: “We’re asking people to do the right thing for others.

"In the main, pavement parking is not malicious, but we all need to be aware that it can have a serious impact on individuals. Research by charities clearly shows a great many people’s lives are affected by it on a daily basis.

“Cars parked on pavements, or at dropped kerbs, can prevent people from getting out and about safely and independently. Please consider this as if it was a member of your family that was impacted.”