Why we reviewed parking across Edinburgh
We began a review in response to communities across the city asking us to tackle parking problems. Residents in some areas told us that a lack of parking controls makes it difficult for them and their visitors to park near their homes.
A report to the Transport and Environment committee on 9 August 2018 explained that there had been significant interest in parking controls from residents in various locations across the city.
We agreed that a review of parking pressures should look at parking across the whole city. By taking a holistic approach, we could compare results for every area and make recommendations based on where the evidence suggested there was the greatest pressure on parking.
For more information view all the committee reports relating to the parking review.
How we carried out the review
The review was divided into five primary areas, with each being subdivided into a total of 124 local neighbourhoods.
Site visits were carried out by a group of surveyors who recorded details of how busy each street was, calculating the amount of space available. Every street in the city was visited to make sure we knew the levels of parking pressure and availability across the whole of Edinburgh.
Using the figures for each street, we created a score for each local area, which represented a percentage of the occupation of available space. Heat maps were also produced for each area showing how busy or quiet each street was, so that we could better understand where parking pressures did, or did not, exist.
The results were reported to the Transport and Environment committee across three separate committee meetings in 2019.
Recommendations
Recommendations were made based on the full results, geographical location and the potential for parking pressures to migrate from one area to another.
The results determined areas where parking controls could benefit residents, businesses and visitors and proposed changes were separated into four phases, with a fifth being approved by committee in August 2024:
- Phase 1 - Leith / Abbeyhill and Gorgie / Shandon
- Phase 2 - Lochend / Ryehill (called “West Leith” on our plans), Bonnington, Willowbrae and the A8 Corridor
- Phase 3 - Priority parking areas B1, B3, B4, B5, B7 and B10, plus Fettes and Prestonfield
- Phase 4 - Newhaven, Trinity and Portobello
- Phase 5 – Lockharton Priority Parking Area
Please see the latest updates in your area for more detail, as well as updates on each of these phases.
Monitoring
The review has highlight areas we need to monitor. Based on existing pressures and potential for migration into other areas, monitoring allows us to understand changes in parking patterns and to act where required.