Bad drivers ‘risking lives’ at market on pedestrianised High Street

One driver blocked the entire street by parking in the middle of the walkway while shopping and jamming in bluebadge holders who were trying to leave.

And when challenged, they argued with stallholders before speeding off through pedestrians who had arrived for the market.

It is understood that parking restrictions were relaxed during lockdown, but with shops reopening and customers returning to the High Street, having traffic on the walkway is becoming increasingly more dangerous.

Normal rules mean that delivery vehicles and blue badge holders would be permitted on the street before 12:00pm, but the relaxation of the rules means more traffic on the walkway.

Now, police and councillors are looking at ways to make the street safer for those who have come back to the High Street.

High Street trader and market organiser Louise Canny said that too many people were ignoring the parking regulations and putting lives at risk, even after 12:00pm.

Louise said that the council could close the High Street to traffic for the whole day, for a price.

She said: “It’s a free-for-all, espcecially with no restrictions right now.

“If I wanted the whole street closed it would cost the market £500 per day, and the market doesn’t nearly produce that amount of money in rent.”

Last Friday saw a number of close calls, with a motorist said to have left the car parked in the middle of the road.

Louise said: “One daft driver double parked outside Savers, so that stopped people behind him getting out.

“A whole line of traffic built up behind him all tooting away.

“He was an able-bodied man doing his shopping, stopped in the middle of the road with music blaring.

“When he came back he was so angry because he’d got a row.

“He started revving his car and shot away really fast with about 50 people in front of him who got a fright.

“It continued like that for the rest of the day.

“The law of the road normal is that even blue badge holders and commercial vehicles can not drive along the street after 12:00pm, people flout that all the time.”

Louise said that some had criticised the market, which is in the pedestrianised zone, for getting in the way of traffic.

She said: “Barriers go down at 12:00pm and people move them.

“The shame is that the market is getting the blame because it’s bringing more people onto the High Street.

“The market isn’t dangerous – it’s the drivers that are dangerous.

“The market is a very valuable asset to the town centre, and I think it should be protected.

“If we could get the traffic stopped, the market could be bigger.”

Councillor Zoe Hisbent has been in contact with the relevant parties at the council and the police to ensure the High Street is safe for shoppers.

She said: “I was extremely disappointed by the number of vehicles travelling along Kirkcaldy High Street and the behaviour of some of these motorists.

“I have since spoken with a number of people who visited last week’s Artisan Friday Market and have been horrified by some of their experiences, with reports of cars travelling at greatly excessive speeds and drivers being abusive to pedestrians.

“The Artisan Market has been a great boost and a very welcome addition to Kirkcaldy, it is upsetting to hear of visitors to the town centre being treated in this way.

“During lockdown, parking restrictions were relaxed and as such there has been a considerable increase in the number of cars on the High Street.

“Whilst the restrictions regarding yellow lines and disabled parking bays remained in place throughout the pandemic, a number of people have clearly and wilfully flouted these restrictions.

“I appreciate that this posed no great issue during lockdown whilst people were staying at home and retail units were closed, but as we start to see shops re-opening and pedestrian footfall increasing, it is becoming more hazardous and has impacted greatly on the safety of shoppers on the High Street.

“This was particularly evident last week when people were visiting the Artisan Friday Market.”

Cllr Hisbent said that it is important to be kind to other s on the High Street as the move out of lockdown gathers pace.

“I have been in contact with the transportation team to discuss a range of measures that could be implemented quickly and will ensure that the High Street is a safe space for shoppers to spend time browsing – it is hoped that these could be in place as swiftly as this Friday.

“Fife Council’s Traffic Enforcement Team can only issue FPN to cars parking on the High Street, the responsibility of moving traffic lies with Police Scotland.

“They were contacted to request their support in managing the increase in traffic using the High Street as a thoroughfare and have now confirmed that their Road Safety team is looking at how they can assist with this matter.

“As we begin the slow process out of lockdown I would urge everyone to stay informed and up to date with the frequently changing restrictions and guidelines and most importantly, to be kind to one another.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have not received any reports regarding speeding or vehicles causing concern in the pedestrian area of the High Street in Kirkcaldy during the times of the Artisan market but I would encourage anyone who does have concerns to contact us on 101.

“Officers will be carrying out patrols to address any issues that arise in the future.”