'Discrimination' row as barriers go up in Kirkcaldy High Street

Cllr Kathleen Leslie claims councillors and business owners were not consulted over the barriers. Pic: Fife Photo Agency

Councillors Kathleen Leslie and Richard Watt said they also have major concerns about the limited options for blue badge holders

Their comments come after barriers were put in place to restrict vehicle access to the High Street in a bid to make the area more appealing to pedestrians.

Temporary banners and signs in place until January were welcomed by Kirkcaldy Central councillor, Alistair Cameron.

Kirkcaldy Central councillor Alistair Cameron with the new barriers which were put in place on Friday.

He said: “They have been designed in a positive way to highlight the love of our town and they give information for when both traffic and pedestrians are able to use the High Street.

"We now have 24 hours a week of traffic free shopping, with free parking at the Kirkcaldy Centre car park which is only a short walk from the High Street,” he said.

"For Blue Badge holders they will have all day parking three days a week plus four mornings until 11am – and free parking throughout the week at the Charlotte Street car park.”

However, Cllr Leslie, who represents Burntisland, Kinghorn and Western Kirkcaldy, said she was ‘completely astounded’ at the decision..

She said: “There was no consultation with councillors, or, it seems with business owners.

“ If this pushes more people away from the High Street it will be retail that will further suffer.

"This is nothing more than the typical Fife Council approach of act now think about consulting later.”

She described the plans for Blue Badge holders as “nothing short of outright discrimination” adding: “If you have a disability, you need to take your car to the High Street, but are no longer able to do so at the same time as everyone else.”

Kirkcaldy East councillor Richard Watt said: “Politicians in the Town House have severed Adam Smith’s invisible hand. It now lies rotting on the very High Street where he wrote Wealth of Nations.

“As a blue badge-holder myself I can assure Cllr Cameron that the nearby parking is too far for someone with crumbling joints.

“COVID has wounded many retailers. Cllr Cameron has dealt them the fatal blow.”

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