Police in Fort William are cracking down on “lazy” motorists who park on pavements rather than walking from local car parks.
And they are warning that drivers could be prosecuted and their vehicles towed away if they are causing an obstruction.
The move follows complaints that people with prams and pushchairs, wheelchair users and other pedestrians are being forced out into the road due to illegal parking in Middle Street.
A police spokesman said: “There have been a number of complaints reported to police regarding vehicles parked illegally on the pavement on Middle Street, Fort William.
“Police have been issuing advisory notices to such vehicles with a warning that, should this continue, the registered keeper is liable to face prosecution and, if the vehicle is causing an obstruction, it can be uplifted by police.”
Fort William Community Council secretary Trisha Jordan said the council regularly contacted Police Scotland about this problem.
She said: “It seems there are some motorists who seriously believe that if you park on a pavement and not on a double yellow line that it is not illegal.
“There’s plenty of parking in town. It’s just quick and easy to park there if you want something on the High Street instead of walking from a car park.
“It’s the usual thing – people are just lazy.”
Ms Jordan explained that there was free parking on the periphery of the town, car parks in town where it was relatively cheap to park for short periods and places where cars could be parked for free, without causing an obstruction.
She said: “I think people park on the pavement in a very unthinking way.
“If you’re a woman with a pram or pushchair or in a wheelchair or just wanting to walk on the pavement rather than on the road, you can’t get along Middle Street because cars are parked all the way along on the pavement so you have to go out into the road.
“As much as anything, it’s a matter of principle. Pavements are for pedestrians.”
Anyone wishing to report illegal parking should contact the local police on 101.