MORE than 1,400 tickets were issued to drivers parking illegally in rural Stirling in one year.

Stirling Council's enforcement officers have handed out the Penalty Charge Notices between August 1 in 2019 and September 30 this year.

Nearly 1,150 of the tickets were issued at Balmaha Car Park and on the B837 between Balmaha to Rowardennan, which is a designated clearway.

Almost 200 were handed out in the Finnich Glen area, near the Devil's Pulpit, with 70 on the A821 near Ben A'nn.

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The figures were revealed in a report from the council's Safer Communities Team and were discussed at Stirling Council’s Environment and Housing Committee this month.

Councillor Jim Thomson, convener of the committee, said: “The significant enforcement activity that has taken place in our rural areas underlines the issue of careless and reckless parking from a minority of visitors.

“This mindless behaviour poses a serious risk to public safety and has stopped emergency services from carrying out their vital work, which is completely unacceptable.

“We are proud of Stirling’s reputation as a must-visit destination and look forward to a more normal time when we can all travel without restrictions, but day-trippers and tourists must act responsibly when they are here.

“As we head into 2021, we will continue working with our key partners, including Police Scotland and the National Park, to ensure this message is hammered home.”