RESTRICTIONS have been put in place around the popular "Devil's Pulpit" beauty spot in an effort to combat "dangerous and reckless parking".

Stirling councillor Jim Thomson said the introduction of double yellow lines around Finnich Glen had been fast-tracked "due to the serious risks to public safety".

The glen is a popular hiking spot, being easily accessible from Glasgow and Stirling. It has been used in both Outlander and The Nest as a filming location. 

As lockdown has eased and people have rushed back out into nature, areas like the Devil's Pulpit have suffered from overcrowding.

“People have been showing no regard to their safety or that of others. This must stop," Thomson said.

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"I would urge visitors to the area to comply with the parking restrictions – if they don’t, enforcement action will be taken."

Last month Stirling Council's depute leader Danny Gibson lashed out at the "influx of people at rural beauty spots like Finnich Glen", saying: "People are risking their lives, and the lives of others, by abandoning their cars on corners and bad bends, then leaving all their rubbish behind for someone else to clear up.

"It is an utterly disgraceful set of circumstances and we have been left with no choice but to take action to protect public safety."

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The measures now taken will allow Stirling Council to carry out enforcement activity to keep stretches of the A809 and B834 near the glen clear of parked cars.

The Council said it has taken a necessary step due to visitors parking their vehicles in a dangerous and inconsiderate manner, which has caused a serious risk to public safety and negatively impacted local communities.

Local community groups backed the move during a consultation exercise over the plans.

Council officers will be patrolling the affected roads to enforce the parking restrictions over this weekend.

Police Scotland will also have a presence in the area to enforce the measure, which supersedes the emergency "no waiting" restriction that was in force between June 26 and July 16.

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It also comes on the back of the Council acting to temporarily remove access rights to Finnich Glen on public safety grounds, due to concerns over the numbers of people accessing the glen itself.

Gibson said: “The Council has a duty to protect its communities and the wider public and will continue to take any necessary steps to do so.

“With the easing of lockdown, we are looking forward to welcoming back tourists to the Stirling area, but visitors must not disrupt the lives of local residents and risk public safety by parking irresponsibly as we have seen at Finnich Glen.

“Our message is clear - the Council will enforce these restrictions to keep people safe.”