Drivers in Fife are facing the prospect of paying for Sunday car parking in certain town centres.
Fife Council has confirmed plans to introduce Sunday charging in 26 different metered on-street and off-street parking areas, with the proposed changes affecting St Andrews, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline.
Public notices have now gone up to make people aware of the move, which could come into force later this year, although it has already sparked concern from town centre businesses who fear the introduction of Sunday charging may be a step too far.
And the news is the first half of a double whammy for motorists as charges in various parking places across the region are due to rise by either 10p or 20p from this Monday onwards.
Changes will have to be made to existing parking orders so Sunday charging can come in, but Fife Council has already started that process.
Bill Harvey, Kirkcaldy4All BID manager, pointed out that the cut price parking trial currently going on in the town will remain in effect until at least March 31, but admitted that parking is an emotive subject.
“We’re disappointed to see parking charges going up whilst organisations and businesses are trying to encourage regeneration,” he said.
“We benefit in Kirkcaldy Town Centre from our parking trial going on for a year, and I just hope that can offset some of the charges that are being introduced.”
The charging issues have already angered many drivers and local businesses.
Cameron Whitelaw, who works at a retail business in St Andrews, questioned the logic.
“Free parking on a Sunday is something that has existed for years so what’s the point in changing it?” he said.
“If it was being done so there could be investment in more parking for the town then it might be worthwhile, but I don’t think that’s the case.
“It just seems greedy to be honest.”
A spokesperson for BID St Andrews said: “One of the priority areas of the BID St Andrews business plan is to lobby Fife Council about parking charges during the day.
“That process is already well underway and BID submitted a lobbying document to the council at the beginning of May.
“We are awaiting their formal reply to our proposals.
“In the meantime we are already seeking urgent clarification from Fife Council about this issue in response to concerns raised with us by levy-payers.”
Metered parking places in Dunfermline to be affected by Sunday charging include East Port North, Canmore Street South, Canmore Street North, Bruce Street East, Maygate North, St Catherine’s Wynd East, St Catherine’s Wynd West, Abbot Street South, Bridge Street South and Chalmers Street East.
In Kirkcaldy, Hunter Street East, Hunter Street North West, High Street West, Whytescauseway South and two parking areas at Whytescauseway North will be affected.
And in St Andrews, Sunday charging is proposed at Greyfriars Garden West, Greyfriars Garden East, North Street, Market Street North, Market Street South, Bell Street West, St Mary’s Place South, Queens Gardens, and at two locations in South Street.
