A DUNFERMLINE business has blasted Fife Council for its "mammoth stupidity" in installing rails outside its premises to stop people crossing to the Carnegie Retail Park. 

In a letter to the local authority, Peter McCreadie, senior partner at Inglis Street glaziers James McCreadie and Sons, writes: "Had you had the common courtesy to speak to us, then we would have told you in no uncertain terms that it was the most stupid thing you could have done. You have not stopped people crossing the road at our premises, EVERYONE now crosses between our vans and customers' cars.

"Instead of supporting local businesses (Fife Council) seem hell-bent on putting us out of business and making life difficult for us. We are growing increasingly tired of having to fight your idiotic ideas."

The letter continued: "Perhaps, when you are writing to local companies, you could take the trouble to spell the name correctly? 

"If you spent a day in a real working environment, instead of your ivory tower in Fife Council wonderland, you would realise how much work and planning goes into running and organising a service for local people.

"The blame lies at your door and you will have to face the consequences of your mammoth stupidity. You did not send us a letter in April 2016. Believe me, we are fascinated by your letters, and would have loved to have replied to whatever stupidity you had come up with next."

Mr McCreadie signed off the letter with: "yours in total bewilderment".

Phil Clarke, lead professional, traffic management (south Fife), said: "The ‘No waiting/no loading’ restrictions on Inglis Street have been in place since the retail park opened.

"They're designed to prevent parked vehicles blocking access for delivery vehicles and other traffic accessing the retail park. Vehicles are not permitted to stop on these restrictions at anytime. 

"A section of ‘No waiting’ restrictions enabled loading into the glazing business on Inglis Street. More recently this restriction was changed to a ‘Loading only’ bay to make it clearer that loading was permitted in this area.

"After consultation with the glazing company this loading bay was extended and the restriction relaxed to enable loading from private vehicles as well as goods vehicles. This also permits loading from private vehicles into residences on Inglis Street. 

"We installed the railings to encourage pedestrians to use the pedestrian crossing at the top of Inglis Street and discourage abuse of the No Waiting/No Loading restrictions."