Disabled parking fine plan.

Byline: By Dave King

SELFISH drivers who park in disabled spaces could be fined up to pounds 60 under a Bill introduced at Holyrood yesterday.

Around 85 per cent of disabled bays are only "advisory" at the moment and able-bodied drivers can park in them without being punished.

But under Labour MSP Jackie Baillie's Bill, drivers who abuse spaces controlled by local councils would be fined pounds 30, rising to pounds 60 if the penalty is not paid within 14 days.

Baillie also wants to strike deals with the owners of large shops and out of town shopping centres to legally protect the disabled spaces they provide.

The MSP said a survey by Capability Scotland had found that 44 per cent of disabled spaces were abused.

She said she decided to take action after hearing from a constituent who had a disabled bay but could not use it because a neighbour kept parking in it and could not be fined.

Liz Rowlett, of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum, welcomed the Bill and said: "I hope it will bring about a genuine change of attitude."

She said many drivers were unwilling to "respect the difficulties faced by disabled people".

Labour leader Wendy Alexander said the Bill was part of their bid to fill the gaps in the SNP's "featherweight" programme of new laws.

The Scottish government said they would decide later whether to back it.

CAPTION(S):

CRACKDOWN: Baillie