A solution to a Fife station parking problem seems to have been delivered.
Earlier this year it came to light major problems were being caused for commuters as Royal Mail delivery vans from the adjacent sorting office one of the busiest in the UK – were using Dunfermline Town station’s southern car park
City of Dunfermline councillors heard that the sorting office’s operations had already outgrown the premises.
And with the introduction of the Amazon warehouse and knock on effect on the postal service, the rise in the number of mail vans parking in the station car park was likely to continue.
In May transport officials wanted to impose a regulation order to impose a ban on goods vehicles using the car park.
But in addition, councillors opted to look at other measures to address the issue, fearing that the blanket ban would simply move the problem to surrounding areas.
Councillors heard that sometimes 30 Royal Mail vans have been seen in the car park.
The Royal Mail was aware of the proposal and has for some time been looking into alternative arrangements with Fife Council working with the firm for a solution.
The committee agreed to promote the regulation order, which closed at the end of August, and in the meantime continue discussions to try and find a solution.
Now it seems an end to the problem is in sight.
Royal Mail has confirmed it has successfully leased 40 parking spaces from Asda at its St Leonards store which will be used to store mail lorries when they are not in use.
And it has made arrangements to allow staff extra time to collect and return their vehicles to the spaces and has made changes to schedules to allow vans to access the Royal Mail’s own car park to load and unload.
The council has agreed with the company to give two weeks’ notice before any enforcement activity starts.
In the longer term, the council is working with Royal Mail to help it find more suitable accommodation which better suits its needs.