Countesswells - Community - Parking at Countesswells

Responsible and courteous parking

As we all want to live in a safe and successful community where all residents strive to contribute in a confident, responsible and positive manner, the community group have collated some safety information relating to courteous parking and other road use.

As many of us have no doubt been driving for some time, it never hurts to refresh our familiarity of the Highway Code or even update our knowledge of new rules and legislation introduced since we passed our tests.

By committing to a joint effort of conscientious and courteous parking as well as road use, we are promoting the safety of our most vulnerable residents and also leading by example to ensure the young people of Countesswells are exposed to expectations of responsible citizenship.

Double Yellow Lines

Rule 238 Highway Code

You MUST NOT wait or park on yellow lines - double yellow lines indicate a prohibition of waiting at any time even if there are no upright signs.

Waiting restrictions indicated by yellow lines apply to the carriageway, pavement and verge. You may stop to load or unload (unless there are also loading restrictions) or while passengers board or alight. Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, unless there are signs that specifically indicate seasonal restrictions.

Pavement Parking

Parking and the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 - 50 Pavement Parking Prohibition

A person must not park a motor vehicle on a pavement.

For the purposes of the pavement parking prohibition a motor vehicle is parked on a pavement if -

it is stationary, and
one or more of its wheels (or any part of them) is on any part of the pavement

A stationary motor vehicle is parked whether or not -

the driver of the vehicle is in attendance at the vehicle
the engine of the vehicle is running.

Please note: there are no pavement parking exemptions in Countesswells therefore no pavement parking is permitted.

More information can be found on the Transport Scotland website and the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.

How to report pavement parking

Pavement parking breaches can be reported to Aberdeen City Council at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/have-your-say/online-services

Roads, transport (inc bus travel) and parking
Parking - Report an illegally parked vehicle

School Parking

Rule 238 Highway Code

You MUST NOT wait or park, or stop to set down and pick up passengers, on school entrance markings ('School Keep Clear' road markings) when upright signs indicate a prohibition of stopping.

For more information, there are currently no upright signs indicating when prohibition of parking is not enforced, therefore the Community Group will seek clarification as to when this information and signage will be erected to instruct road users.

Dropped Kerb Parking

Parking and the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 - 56 Dropped Footway Parking Prohibition

A person must not park a motor vehicle on a carriageway adjacent to a footway where, for the purpose of assisting pedestrians or cyclists to cross the carriageway -

a. the footway has been lowered to meet the level of the carriageway, or
b. the carriageway has been raised to meet the level of the footway.

Parking and the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 - 57 Exceptions to Dropped Footway Parking

The dropped footway parking prohibition does not apply where the footway has been lowered or the carriageway has been raised for the purpose of access to a driveway or to a garage (whether on commercial or residential premises)

Please note: the exception above relates to parking on the road in front of the lowered footway/raised carriageway allowing access to a driveway or garage - not on any section of the pavement.

More information can be found in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.

Other Parking Information

Rule 243 Highway Code

You MUST NOT stop or park:

anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and power mobility vehicles
on a bend

except where forced to do so by stationary traffic

E-Scooters

"Powered transporters" is a term used to cover a variety of novel and emerging personal transport devices which are powered by a motor, including e-scooters.

Given how powered transporters are motorised and designed, they fall within the legal definition of a "motor vehicle". Therefore the laws that apply to motor vehicles apply to powered transporters.

It is illegal to use a powered transporter:

on a public road without complying with a number of legal requirements, which potential users will find very difficult
in spaces that are set aside for use by pedestrians, cyclists, and horse-riders; this includes on the pavement and in cycle lanes

Any person who uses a powered transporter on a public road or other prohibited space in breach of the law is committing a criminal offence and can be prosecuted.

It is legal to use a powered transporter:

on private land with the permission of the land owner

More information can be found here.