The decision to shut one of Fife’s busiest shopping streets for a street theatre festival has been branded “absurd”.
South Street in St Andrews is set to be closed to traffic later this week for the Byre Theatre’s “Inside Out” event. Organisers predict that tens of thousands of people will descend on the the town, generating a very welcome economic boost.
The event is traditionally held on Market Street but has been moved due to ongoing roadworks. News of this weekend’s closure was confirmed in a public notice published by Fife Council. The street will be closed to traffic westward from its junction with Bell Street to the West Post archway from Thursday evening until Sunday.
Local diversions will be put in place during the closure, but the closure has failed to excite any festival spirit in a least one St Andrean.
“I firmly believe this to be an absurd decision,” she told The Courier. “We only have two real shopping streets in St Andrews and to close one of them for an entire weekend just so the Byre can have a bit of fun is disgraceful.
“I am sure some people will enjoy themselves but for many, many people this will be an intolerable inconvenience.”
Organisers point out that the Inside Out festival, which has been running since 2008, has proved to be hugely lucrative for the town. Originally attracting a relatively modest number of visitors, last year’s attendance was almost 30,000.
An independent survey later revealed that 96% of people asked felt the quality of the festival was “excellent or very good.” Meanwhile, it was estimated that the event generated almost £350,000 for the area.
Dave Smeaton, lead officer for roads management (North Fife), insisted everything possible would be been done to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
He said, “This event has been running for the past three years and brings a great deal of business and tourism into the town. Pedestrian access won’t be affected at all.
“There will be a minor diversion in place for motorists but it will be well signposted so people know what to do and where to go.”