Council brings parking charges back across Fife

Parking charges are set to return to Fife towns from next month.

The decision comes as more people start to travel as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Fife Council will bring back parking charges and enforcement from Monday, August 3.

Drivers will have to also pay up in Kirkcaldy where they had been a free parking trial ran just before lockdown.

The council has said it will look for a local solution to a problem which is seen as one of the major barriers to attracting people back to the town centre.

Derek Crowe, senior roads and transportation services manager, said: "Parking charges and enforcement will resume across Fife, including Kirkcaldy.

“Now that Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted, the Kirkcaldy place making pilot can also restart and we will engage with local members shortly about the next phase of the project."

Councillor Altany Craik, Fife’s economy and transportation convener, said the charges and enforcement measures would help businesses.

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.

“It is vital that we support the retail sector at this very difficult time. The impact of continued social distancing will mean that the turnover of customers throughout the day will be even more important than normal.

“We are also working with communities and businesses to agree measures that will help businesses open and function as we ease back through the phases of recovery.

Kirkcaldy shoppers under attack from High Street seagulls

“The council has a role to play in ensuring the fair and safe use of space in Fife and everyone can play their part, by planning ahead and supporting our local businesses.”

The return of enforcement means access for disabled drivers can be protected, ensure turnover of parking spaces for shoppers and preserve access for essential deliveries and services.

Drivers with a valid parking season ticket purchased pre-lockdown will have that extended to take account of the time charges were not in place.

Residents’ parking schemes remain suspended and will be reviewed later in the year.

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press