Kirkcaldy High Street: New restrictions on vehicles

New restrictions are being put on vehicle access to Kirkcaldy High Street in a bid to make the area more appealing to pedestrians.

The aim is to give more space to businesses which have moved outdoors, and let people visit while adhering to social distancing.

The new rules come into force next month and will run until March 2021.

Fife Council hopes the moves will make the most of the open spaces within the High Street and Tolbooth Street - and go some way to tackling the long-standing problem of cars in the pedestrianised zone.

The two streets currently have a ban all vehicles between noon and 5:00pm, except on Tuesdays on Sundays when disablled Blue Badge holders and delivery vehicles have all-day access.

That is set to change

From October 5, vehicles will not be allowed to access the pedestrianised on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 11:00am and 5:00pm - effectively giving the bulk of the day over to people.

Blue Badge holders will be able to access the High Street all day pn Tuedsdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The same access will apply to deliver vehicles.

Barriers will be put in place, and the council will also deploy enforcement measures to ensure the High Street and Tolbooth become safe spaces for pedestrians and businesses.

The moves were welcomed by Councillor Neil Crooks, convener or Kirkcaldy area committee.

He said: “The current 'pedestrian only' times are being ignored and lack of enforcement has led to anarchy.

“These measures will bring order to the chaos and safety to pedestrians as well as opportunities to businesses to use outdoor spaces.”

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He said the plan was to create “a significant open space between Tolbooth Street and Kirk Wynd for socially distanced seating.

He added: “The dangerous build up of traffic on the High Street in recent weeks threatens public safety.

“This a temporary arrangement to address the socially distancing requirements on street queuing and the dangers from traffic which, if they prove popular and successful can easily become permanent.”

The town centre has over 2000 car parking spaces, with Charlotte Street car park linking directly to the High Street.

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