MOTORISTS in the Borders could face a £100 fine for a number of parking offences after new legislation came into force this week.

On Monday (December 11) the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 came into force, meaning that drivers caught parking on pavements, double parking, or parking on dropped kerbs could face a fine of £100.

The pavement parking ban covers all of the Borders, however, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) will be working to identify areas where exemptions could be introduced - such as areas where space must be left to allow for emergency vehicles to pass through.

Councillor John Greenwell, executive member for roads development and maintenance, said: “The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 has been introduced from today to improve the safety of pavement users especially those with mobility issues or visual impairments, or parents pushing prams and buggies.

“It’s extremely important that drivers across the Borders take head of this new law and adjust their parking habits accordingly.

“Although the new legislation has now been enacted, Scottish Borders Council, like most other Scottish local authorities, still have some work to undertake in identifying locations where an exemption might be justified.

“That being the case the intention will be to focus on educating drivers across the region, prior to any enforcement action being undertaken.”

Ahead of the introduction of the new legislation, in October, SBC launched a consultation into where in the Borders pavement parking is taking place.

This consultation will inform where exemptions are used.

Drivers fined for any of the three parking offences who pay within 14 days will only be required to pay a fine of £50.