Final days of free parking as Fife Council brings back charges
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From April 26, on and off-street parking charges will resume as a large proportion of Scottish businesses re-open, including shops, libraries, museums, galleries, hotels, gyms, cafes and restaurants.
Fife Council anticipates that demand for parking will rise as a result, and is reintroducing the charges to ensure that demand is balanced with fair use.
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Hide AdWaiting time restrictions will also be reintroduced for spaces that have no charge, with enforcement officers returning to the streets.
Contactless payments are available through the RingGo mobile parking app for those with concerns about using cash in parking meters.
Derek Crowe, the council's senior manager for roads and transportation, says the return of parking charges will ensure the use of parking facilities is "fair and safe".
He said: "The return to normal parking measures, including parking changes, will ensure local businesses benefit from the turnover of customers that the charges promote and help them get back to more normal footfall."
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Hide AdMotorists who purchased parking season tickets or residential permits prior to lockdown will have their passes extended. Some residents parking schemes will remain suspended until later this year.
Parking rules were suspended in January after the announcement of a further nationwide lockdown.
Analysis of the council's normal parking income has concluded that £1.8 million has been lost since last March.
However, this income will be recouped through the Scottish Government s Lost Income Scheme that has been set up to support cash-starved councils.