Residents’ parking scheme to go ahead

ROADS: Marked bays will be restricted to two hours between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday

Councillors have set aside an objection to press ahead with a residents’ parking scheme in a congested area around its own Dunfermline headquarters.

Residential roads around the area have been packed since the opening of New City House in Dunfermline 14 years ago.

Last year the City of Dunfermline area committee agreed to promote the introduction a parking scheme.

It would limit the time motorists, except fort resident permit holders, could park in the area

The issue was not new as in 2005 – the year after the council office opened – there was a consultation but it failed to reach a consensus of opinion.

Recently, however, there has been a rise in the number of inquiries about parking on Reid Street, Rolland Street and Kirklands.

The issue is being exacerbated by commuter parking – the area lies close to Dunfermline’s main railway station – making life difficult for residents trying to park near their homes.

Of the locals taking part in a local consultation, 77% agreed with the plan for residents’ parking, 18% disagreed and 5% didn’t express a preference. The scheme being promoted will see a length of double yellow lines in the turning head at the west end of Rolland Street and along its north side.

Marked bays will be restricted to two hours from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday for any vehicle. Parking permit holders will be exempt from the twohour time limit. Local householders would be eligible for two permits and there will be an administration fee of £20, valid for two years.

However, there were two objections – one of which has been resolved.

Among issues raised the objector felt the opinion of residents in Kirklands and Reid Street should have no bearing on a decision affecting Rolland Street.

They felt the “majority of residents in Rolland Street should have been in favour of the proposals before they were promoted and didn’t think they were”.

However, councillors heard all three streets were treated equally.

In addition, 38 addresses on Rolland Street received consultation letters – 19 responded with 17 of those being in favour of the scheme so it was felt an 89% favourable response rate of those interested or affected was sufficient support to continue with the scheme.

Councillors agreed to the £4,000 scheme to introduce the parking restrictions. Committee convener Helen Law said: “We’ve taken on board everyone’s comments, including the objection we received.”

She believed the scheme, and twohour parking limit, would increase the availability of spaces for permitholders because commuters who need to park for longer will not be able to park in these streets.

“We’ve taken on board everyone’s comments, including the objection we received. COUNCILLOR HELEN LAW

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Commuter parking often affects Reid Street, Rolland Street and Kirklands.