The introduction of the “pavement and kerb” parking ban last year has made for a tight squeeze in a Falkirk street which residents fear could potentially serious consequences.

Householders – some who have been living in the street for over 20 years – say things at the Morrison’s superstore end of James Street were fine before the new laws were put in place.

One resident said: “People on the left hand side of the road, as you face Morrisons, were parking fully on the street, while householders on the right, again, as you face Morrisons, parked with two wheels up on the kerb.

“This unwritten understanding enabled cars to travel freely down the road and allowed pedestrians, wheelchair users and everyone else to access the path to Morrisons without any bother.”

Residents say the street has become dangerous since the introduction of the no parking on kerbs or pavement law last year (Picture: Submitted)

placeholder image — Residents say the street has become dangerous since the introduction of the no parking on kerbs or pavement law last year (Picture: Submitted)

However, ever since Falkirk Council began enforcing the region-wide "pavement and kerb" parking ban under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 last year, residents have noticed parking problems and access issues.

They say their bins are frequently not collected as the trucks can’t get down the street to collect them.

Others have raised ongoing concerns about access for ambulances or the Fire Service and Rescue Service should the need arise.

Some residents asked for some kind of compromise or relaxing of the regulations in that section of James Street, but said the council refused.

On visiting the area, The Falkirk Herald noticed a large number of cars on nearby Russell Street were parked up on kerbs and pavements.

A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “We carried out detailed assessments to identify locations where pavement parking exemption orders may be required. Following completion of the initial surveys, James Street, Falkirk had further surveys carried out at various times of the day to establish parking levels.

"These surveys established that all vehicles parked on the footway at the western end of James Street could be accommodated in the immediate vicinity without causing any pavement parking obstruction.

“Following feedback from residents, the council also surveyed households on options for the future of parking in the street. The majority of respondents supported retaining the current arrangements.

“It is the responsibility of all motorists to park safely, considerately and in accordance with the law, ensuring they do not obstruct access for emergency services, refuse collection vehicles, pedestrians or other road users.”