Kirkcaldy fitness fanatics are being warned to park responsibly ahead of a clampdown by wardens.
Healthy living locals have enjoyed a parking free-for-all around the town’s leisure centre in the evenings, creating problems for pedestrians and other road users.
Dozens of vehicles can be found parking on double yellow lines at the swimming pool’s entrance, with similar numbers to be found on surrounding pavements.
However, parking wardens are now warning that those found flouting traffic regulations could now be fined even after dark.
Though enforcement usually ceases at 6pm in the town centre, Fife Council say that exceptions will now be made in a bid to rid poor parking from one of the town’s most popular destinations.
Tony McRae, lead professional at the local authority for parking and public transport infrastructure management, said: “Our parking attendants patrol this area on a regular basis and we are not aware of any issues of parking on the double yellow lines in front of the leisure centre during the day.
“It may be that later in the evening when our normal patrolling stops there are issues. We will arrange for a few evening patrols over the next few days.
“It is worth pointing out that parking facilities are available for leisure centre customers at the Esplanade multi-storey car park which is kept open until 10pm specifically for this purpose.”
Parking has been a contentious issue at the town’s leisure centre long before it opened its doors two years ago.
Councillors controversially decided to build the new facility on one of the town’s busiest car parks, alarming traders and stripping the local shopping precinct of one of its most popular assets.
Only a handful of parking spaces were put in place alongside the new pool, often utilised by shoppers looking to avoid paying parking fares elsewhere.
Though problematic during the daytime, matters are considerably worse during the evening, with vehicles frequently boxed in amidst the melee of cars.