Residents of a Kinghorn street have welcomed plans that could end parking chaos on the waterfront.
Councillors agreed to promote a Traffic Regulation Order on St James Place after concerns about traffic congestion and public safety were raised by homeowners.
It follows a sustained effort by residents to control parking near the beach, with campaigners concerned about the risks to children and access to their homes.
Their efforts have been backed by politicians, culminating in a 200-signature petition asking for restrictions to be put in place on the narrow street.
These were agreed by members of Kirkcaldy area committee, a decision that has been backed by the residents, although concerns as to whether this will solve the problem remain.
“This has been going on for decades,” said St James Place resident Michael Stewart.
“We are glad there has been a consensus between the significant majority of residents and local organisations.
“It has been incredibly frustrating but we are glad that the members of a Kirkcaldy area committee supported the proposals to go forward with the Traffic Regulation Order. We hope it is successful.”
Fellow resident Carol Rhodes said: “St James Place is so narrow and people come down and think they can park but there isn’t really anywhere there’s just a small space for residents. There is a bottleneck and they have to turn around and go back.
“However, it is more about the dangers to children as a lot of people think it is a promenade. If they come off the beach they don’t realise it is actually a road.”
Despite a proposal to conduct a site visit, SNP councillor George Kay said that the meeting had to produce an outcome before the recess, with crowds set to flock to the Kinghorn beach during the summer.
“When I joined Kinghorn Community Council in 1978 this was coming up and was never addressed,” said Mr Kay.
“There is no doubt and it is incumbent that we start to bring this forward as soon as possible.”
Picture by George McLuskie