New parking rules launching today could see thousands of road users charged a costly . in Scotland will start enforcing its new pavement rules on March 24, with fees in place for any rulebreakers.

The council has confirmed that parking attendants will be issuing from Monday. Officials have confirmed there will be a priority focus on town centres and areas with high footfall. The population of North Lanarkshire is around 341,400, meaning thousands of individuals

The decision comes after the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019

Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee praised the new legislation.

Helen said: "The law aims to make our roads safer for pedestrians by avoiding having to step into the road to walk around parked cars.

"This is a particular issue for people with a visual impairment, families with children and buggies and wheelchair users. It is vital we take this action to prevent accidents in our communities and keep pedestrians safe."

Motorists have not been allowed to park on the pavements in North Lanarkshire since January although fines have not been issued.

Instead, attendants have only been placing warning notices on vehicles stopped on the pavement to remind them of the new rules.

However, there will be no such leniency any longer with motorists to be

But, North Lanarkshire Council has confirmed that penalty fines could be reduced to £50 if motorists pay the rate within 14 days.

South Lanarkshire Council introduced fines for pavement parking last week on March 17 after reporting thousands had been issued warning notices.

Parking attendants have apparently issued more than 2,000 warning notices to drivers parking on around 350 streets since the start of 2024.

Transport Scotland said pavement parking legislation was "aimed at promoting, supporting and advancing the rights of pedestrians".

They said the policy aims to "ensure that our pavements and roads are accessible for all."