An angry Fife councillor says motorists are putting children in danger by driving over pavements and grassed areas to park outside their homes.
John O’Brien said in some instances people are driving over grass where there is children’s play equipment, just so they can park at their front doors.
The problem is particularly bad in Buckhaven and Methil with Lilac Bank a specific hotspot, he said.
“More and more car owners are parking outside their houses, cutting across public footpaths and Fife Council grassed lands while damaging play park areas and children’s playing fields,” said Mr O’Brien.
“The other day on a walkabout in Methil, I was astonished to witness a woman drive down a public footpath to pick up a passenger where kids were playing.
“When I pointed out this fault to the driver she said she was only going to be five minutes as she was picking up a lady.
“I later found out to my surprise she was a carer from social work on duty.”
Mr O’Brien will raise that issue with the council’s chief executive but in the meantime has called on the local authority to solve the problem by changing under used grassed areas to make more space for parking.
“I see the point of car owners that there is no room to park your car on the street but all this grass land sits unused,” he said.
Dave Paterson, Fife Council’s area services manager for Levenmouth, said he had not been made aware of any specific parking problems from residents in Methil or Buckhaven but pledged to look into any issues raised.
“We will speak to Councillor O’Brien to address specific situations and work with him as required to fix any issues,” he said.
“We would always advise against parking in non-designated areas as this may cause damage to land and put other users at risk.”