Fife Council solves parking charges fear at Kirkcaldy's mass vaccine centre

NHS Fife is set to open the doors to the huge facility in the former M&S store on Kirkcaldy High Street - just days after the local authority re-introduced parking charges.

That raised the prospect of anyone arriving by car having to pay to get their vaccination..

And the prospect of a ‘jag charge’ sparked criticism on social media.

Now the council has revealed that a dedicated free parking area will be set aside for people with vaccine appointments.

It has handed over half of The Postings car park, free of charge, to NHS Fife to operate.

The 140-plus spaces on the left hand side of the car park will be reserved for people with appointments, who can then make the short walk across the High Street into M&S.

NHS Fife will take over the top half of the car park from Monday ahead of opening the doors to the vaccine center in May.

The right hand of The Postings car park will remain open to members of the public.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/nhs-fife-transforms-former-ms-store-into-regions-biggest-mass-vaccination-centre-3205880

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/200-new-homes-planned-for-site-of-infamous-cadco-piggery-in-glenrothes-3208437

The solution was welcomed by Councillor Neil Crooks, who convenes Kirkcaldy area committee.

He said: " I have discussed the issue of parking for the vaccination centre with council officers and am satisfied that everything possible is being done to ensure drivers don’t have to pick up parking costs for attending the High Street centre.

"This is the under 50s roll out of the vaccination and public transport to the town centre is pretty good with a local bus station and train station within walking distance.”

And he urged people attending the vaccine centre to also spend time in the town centre as it also opens for business as lockdown restrictions lift on Monday.

Mr Crooks added: “It’s possible many people will be coming to Kirkcaldy for the first time or haven't visited for a long time.

“I would encourage them to have a wander, check out the many independent businesses and the Waterfront and breathe in the post covid fresh air before they head back out of town."

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