Council urged to create more parking to help businesses

Around 200 people have signed a petition urging Fife Council to create more parking spaces in Cowdenbeath.

A petition stating parking is needed to help local businesses and vulnerable customers will be discussed by members of Cowdenbeath area committee today.

A member of staff at Dario’s takeaway started the petition.

Dario’s manager Hasan Yildirim said: “This is for all the businesses, not just Dario’s.

“Everybody needs parking spaces.

“There is a lot of traffic in the High Street, but no one can stop.

“We’ve got very good shops in the High Street and we just need parking so people can stop and shop.”

The report prepared for the committee states providing further on-street parking would not be possible.

Providing a parking layby using the pavement area would make the footway too narrow and cost at least £60,000, according to the transportation department.

The report stated it could be possible to introduce limited waiting times at a parking area at the end of Natal Place.

The petition states: “Surrounding businesses, including that of Dario’s, have many suppliers who have nowhere to park their lorries and HGVs. This means that they have to park on unmarked areas of the road ultimately causing congestion with traffic.

“My proposal to solve these problems is to install more parking spaces on the Dario side of the High Street – more specifically on the pavement outside of Farmfoods and surrounding businesses which has extra room that cars can utilise for parking.”