New report raises option of parking charges at Kirkcaldy railway station
It was one of the options at Kirkcaldy area committee as it reviewed parking provision across the town centre.
Parking at the station has always been free, and charges were floated as one option to claw back some of the Fife wide £3m deficit in revenue facing transportation after lockdown had a major impact on usage.
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Hide AdBut Councillor David Ross, co leader of Fife Council, said it was a step he wasn’t willing to take at this stage.
The last time charges were proposed in 2012, the council faced a major backlash before the idea was abandoned.
Mr Ross said: “We are not in favour. It is something we might want to come back to in the future - but we are ruling it out at the moment.”
The station car park has an occupancy rate of 86% - in contrast, the multi-storeys on the Esplanade languish around 33%.
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Hide AdIt is used by commuters, students and town centre workers, and the report to councillors suggested a small charge would help to manage the parking and free up some spaces.
It noted: “Any new charge at the railway station would likely have a significant impact on the surrounding area, with vehicles being displaced into residential streets.
“A residents parking scheme would be required to manage demand within the surrounding area, with a permit charge to help cover costs.
Added Mr Ross: “There is a case for saying train commuters should park free but others should not squeeze them out."