Drivers who park illegally in Kirkcaldy town centre could escape prosecution due to the poor state of road markings.
Chief Inspector Gordon Mitchell will tell local councillors this week his officers are finding it increasingly difficult to issue fixed penalty notices to drivers who park in unauthorised areas due to a lack of decent markings and signage.
It comes despite the publication of new figures which reveal 127 penalty notices were issued in the High Street and Esplanade area between November 2012 and February 2013.
In a report to be put to councillors on Wednesday, Chf Insp Mitchell says: “In December 2012 a number of areas of Kirkcaldy town centre were identified by community traffic wardens as being unenforceable due to poor or absent road markings and signage.
“Community officers have highlighted specific areas of concern to Fife Council transportation services.”
One specific problem area, a pedestrian crossing on Hill Street, has already had bollards erected nearby due to the number of vehicles parking illegally there.
Meanwhile, liaison between police and local shopkeepers has also been undertaken to remind businesses of their responsibility to highlight illegal parking to customers.
Fife Council has admitted to The Courier that parking problems exist in the centre of Kirkcaldy and has apologised for a delay in clarifying zones where parking is not permitted.
However, measures to clarify parking restrictions in the town centre will be taken, with new signs and markings set to be installed over the coming weeks.
Sandy Dall, lead professional with Fife Council’s road network management team, said: “Unfortunately, there has been a delay in getting signage and road markings in the High Street area.
“We realise there’s a backlog of work that needs to be carried out and we’re sorry that this has taken longer than expected.”