St Andrews businesses warn Fife Council plan could have ‘devastating impact’

The open letter, sent by BID St Andrews to Fife Council, says cutting parking spaces in the town centre – part of the local authority’s latest active travel plans – would impact on the businesses and local residents.

Fife Council announced last month its proposals for St Andrews as part of the Spaces for People project, which aims to make the streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists by making temporary changes.

In St Andrews, these plans include widening paths to make room for pedestrians. This will be achieved through cutting parking spaces.

“We wish it to be put on record that there has been no consultation with those businesses directly impacted by these proposals,” the letter states.

“We would like to understand what evidence was collected, and how each of the streets were assessed, in order for the proposals to be approved. We would also like to know what the KPIs are for the measures and who the key decision makers are on this project.

“We understand that Fife Council is implementing these measures on health and safety grounds but some of the measures directly contradict and contravene the government’s recommendations that the public try and avoid public transport and travel by car if possible, to stop the spread of Covid-19. How can they travel if they can’t park?”

The letter states that those who will be most affected by the changes will be the town’s elderly and disabled residents.

It continues: “We can say without any doubt that the implementation of some of these measures will have a devastating impact on our businesses, our families, and beyond. As individual businesses and as an organisation we have long been campaigning about the serious lack of parking spaces in the area and we strongly object to these measures and want them stopped.”

It concludes by saying that businesses feel “expendable” to Fife Council.

Fife Council lead consultant Allan Maclean highlighted that the local authority has worked with businesses and locals to make changes in the town, including providing more outdoor space.

He added: “Following three rounds of discussions with local stakeholders, our plans are ready for implementation, aimed at creating extra pedestrian space in areas where there is high footfall. At the request of local traders and community representatives, the discussions focussed on shaping the proposals to maximise the benefits for local residents, traders and visitors. The council recognises the need to support commercial activity, but it is also clear that the community is very concerned about public health and the need to provide areas where people, particularly the vulnerable, can undertake essential journeys and adhere to the government’s ‘physical distancing’ requirements.

“Further information is available on www.fife.gov.uk/spaces-for-people where detailed plans are available.

“Our attention has been drawn to the need to expand pedestrian space in St Andrews, particularly now that schools and the university have returned.”