The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
A ‘smack in the face’ for traders after lockdown
St Andrews businesses vent fury over proposals to take cars out of town centre
Traders in St Andrews have reacted with fury to £2.4 million plans which could see cars taken out of town centres and streets stripped of parking areas.
Fife Council has partnered with walking and cycling charity Sustrans, the Confederation of St Andrews Residents Association and St Andrews Space for Cycling on a programme of proposed works designed to encourage social distancing and sustainable travel.
The scheme will involve the temporary closure of the West Port, Church Street and Queens Gardens and changes to bus routes. The council has also suggested the short-term removal of parking in Market Street, South Street, Bell Street and Church Street.
But local businesses say they have not considered the impact on trade and the money would be better spent elsewhere.
Bakery boss Eric Milne, from the Fisher and Donaldson shop on Church Street, described the move as “lunacy” at a time when local businesses are trying to bounce back after months with zero income.
“Since the farmers’ market moved to Market Street we see a noticeable dip in custom once a month on a Saturday, our busiest day of the week,” he said.
“We have a lot of elderly customers who appreciate being able to park close to our shop for 30 minutes to an hour, visiting multiple local traders before driving home.
“They simply cannot shop locally without on-street parking.”
Mr Milne said the council should look to the example of Kirkcaldy or Leven to see how a loss of parking can damage a town’s fortunes.
“We have been in business in St Andrews for more than 60 years and to think the council can make a decision of this magnitude at what has been the most difficult time for our business in its 100-year history, is quite frankly a smack in the face,” he said.
Jane Kennedy, St Andrews business improvement district manager, said long-term road closures of Bell Street, Church Street, Market Street and the
“How can local residents support businesses if they can’t access them?
JANE KENNEDY, ST ANDREWS BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT MANAGER
West Port would deal a “final blow” to many local proprietors.
She said: “with measures such as speed reduction, common sense and temporary widening of pedestrian walkways, most issues can be addressed safely and without a huge impact on businesses and residents.
“How can local residents support businesses if they can’t access them?
“These are punitive measures which will have long-term repercussions on our local economy.”
Penny Uprichard, who chairs St Andrews Community Council’s planning committee, said the plans would deter many of the 650,000 visitors who normally come to the town every year.
Labour councillor Brian Thomson said some of the proposals were “complete non-starters”, adding: “We should always be looking at ways of improving the town centre, but at a time when businesses are trying to recover from the lockdown, it’s not the time to be progressing such significant changes.”