Controversial changes to St Andrews town centre to be removed after outcry

The local authority put new barriers along some town centre streets, including Market Street, as part of its bid to make them safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

However, after a petition was launched, and an open letter condemning the changes, which was signed by dozens of local businesses, was published, it was announced that some of the barriers would be removed.

Local businesswoman Louise A Fraser wrote on Facebook: “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to support our petition or leave positive feedback on various Facebook pages and in stores about the barriers currently positioned around town.

“BID St Andrews is delighted to announce that, after much lobbying and a very fruitful meeting in town this morning with representatives from Fife Council, the barriers in Market Street shall be removed.”

Councillor Altany Craik, convenor of the economy, tourism, strategic planning and transportation committee, met BID St Andrews this week. He said: “The impact on businesses would have been severe and businesses were right to raise their concerns. We’ll be looking at all the options. We want to create spaces that people can use safely.”

The barriers had been put up by Fife Council as part of its Spaces for People project, which aims to make active travel across the Kingdom safer by introducing temporary measures. The changes in St Andrews were made to create more room for pedestrians, by using space usually used as parking spaces.

However, there was an outcry from local businesses, residents and politicians after the changes were made.

BID St Andrews, in an open letter published last week, criticised the changes and warned that it would impact on the town’s elderly and disabled population.

It also warned that it could have a “devastating impact”, especially on businesses.

Councillor Brian Thomson said: “The whole way the initiative has been administered is very unfortunate – effectively, the Scottish Government has thrown money at it and left councils to implement measures without any statutory consultation process being in place and any opportunity for councillors to take a decision on the measures, and ended up angering businesses and residents alike.”