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PAVEMENT PARKING CAME INTO EFFECT ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS IN FEBRUARY 2024, WITH DRIVERS FACING HEFTY PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO ADHERE TO THE RESTRICTIONS. 11:56, 31 May 2025 Thousands of

drivers risk prosecution for failing to pay parking tickets in a popular region. Pavement parking came into effect across the Highlands in February 2024, with drivers facing hefty penalties

for failing to adhere to the restrictions. But almost one in four pavement parking fines have gone unpaid in the Highlands since the national ban was introduced. Penalty charge notices

(PCNs) issued for the offence reached £65,800 by the end of March 2025, although £8100 of those were written off. But from the remaining £57,700 owed, the council has only managed to recover

£43,542. That means £14,157 remain unpaid by motorists - more than £1000 a month on average in the 14 months since Highland Council began enforcing the legislation. READ MORE UK SET TO

SIZZLE IN 'GLORIOUS' 27C MINI-HEATWAVE WITH 33 COUNTIES IN ENGLAND HIT Just under 1000 pavement parking fines – 970 – were issued between the start of February 2024 and the end of

March 2025. A Highland Council spokesman said: “Our parking team lead advises me that the document you are looking at is a working document where the ‘net received to date’ figure is based

on the received amount for the parking charge notices issued that month. Article continues below “This is updated monthly as payment is received for tickets. Our recovery rate is generally

around 70 per cent of the issue value which is a similar position to other authorities around Scotland. “The Council makes every effort to recover funds for unpaid Parking Charge Notices.”

Councillor Ken Gowans, chairman of the Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, issued a reminder of the dangers that pavement parking poses. He said: “Pavement parking is unsafe,

unfair and now illegal. Many people face daily difficulties with pavement parking. It is dangerous and frustrating, especially for those with impairments or limited mobility. Article

continues below “It can force people to take unnecessary risks, such as people using wheelchairs and buggies or prams without access to dropped kerbs can be forced onto the road, risking

their safety. “Even if you think you’ve left enough space or won’t be there for long, don’t fall foul of the new law and risk being fined. Our parking enforcement team have provided details

on the council website, and I urge all drivers to make themselves familiar with the new regulations. “We hope everyone will consider others and there will be limited need for enforcement.”