Fife Council drops controversial plans to close main streets to vehicles in Fife town

Fife Council had suggested closing off Market Street and West Port as part of plans to make St Andrews safer for pedestrians and cyclists, but, after local businesses raised their concerns, the proposals have been dropped.

The local authority was given £2.4 million by Sustrans for temporary active travel infrastructure in the Kingdom, with a range of suggestions put forward for St Andrews. While the road closures have been put one side, other measures remain on the table.

Councillor Jane Ann Liston explained that the changes would help minimise the chance of Covid-19 spreading, with more space created for pedestrians.

She added: “It is true that the pedestrianisation and road closure suggestions are not going ahead just now, but they will be reviewed once the school and university terms start which, added to the continuing tourism season particularly the Edinburgh and Glasgow holiday weekends, results in a September ‘triple whammy’ for St Andrews.

“The worst possible result would be a corona resurgence shown to have originated in the town. Aberdeen, not so much of a tourism hotspot as St Andrews, serves as an awful warning of what could happen. This must be avoided at all costs.”

Other measures that have been put forward include removing parking on Bell Street and Church Street.

Fife Council service manager John Mitchell added: “Fife Council has been working closely with the local community and stakeholders in St Andrews to develop proposals to provide greater physical space for the public and businesses within the town.

“To date, there have been three meetings of this group which have focused on reaching an agreed position on the measures to take forward.

“The proposals include measures to cut back vegetation to afford more useable space and the implementation of temporary physical measures to create greater social distancing space for the public.”

Mr Mitchell continued: “The agreed measures will be implemented as soon as possible to help support communities and businesses during this Covid-19 period.”