DISABLED drivers parking “indiscriminately” outside parking bays in Dunfermline’s pedestrianised zone have been preventing deliveries being made to High Street businesses.

Councillors have been asked to act to clamp down on the “dangerous and illegal” practices of the rogue drivers.

Propoals include the introduction of ‘No Waiting/No Loading At Any Time’ restrictions in Douglas Street/High Street and ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restrictions in New Row access road and St Margaret Street. Douglas Street and High Street, Dunfermline are part of the pedestrian zone where there is a prohibition of all vehicles 24 hours a day, Monday to Sunday.

There are exceptions to this whereby disabled drivers can use the area to park within marked bays except between 12-3pm, Monday to Saturday, and commercial vehicles can be used to deliver to shops in the zone.

The New Row access road is the short section of carriageway leading to the garage site off New Row behind the homes in Comely Park.

The section of St Margaret Street under consideration is the short stretch between the crossroads of Guildhall Street/Abbot Street and Canmore Street to its junctions with the Abbey access road and Abbey Park Place.

A report to the City of Dunfermline area committee yesterday (Wednesday) stated, “Representations have been made by traders in the High Street for restrictions at this junction because disabled drivers are parking indiscriminately outwith the marked bays and commercial vehicles are not able to negotiate the bend to carry out their deliveries.

“On many occasions large vehicles have had to sit for extended periods of time until drivers have returned to their vehicles and on occasion have even reversed back up Douglas Street which is dangerous and illegal.

“It is therefore proposed to mark ‘No Waiting/No Loading at any time’, double yellow line restrictions to remove all parking from this area.” The report continued, “Residents who use the garage site behind Comely Park have requested that restrictions be marked the whole length of the access road because drivers parking along its length make it very difficult to get to the garages.

“Obstructions are particularly frequent on the tight bend near the top end. Parking along this road necessitates the drivers to park up on the footway; restricting this length will therefore make it safer for pedestrians. It is therefore proposed to mark ‘No Waiting at any time’, double yellow line restrictions to clear vehicles from this area.” On St Margaret Street the report went on, “There are concerns that the restrictions on this section of narrow road are outdated and not fit for present-day traffic.

“The road is so narrow that any vehicle parked to load or unload causes an obstruction – with passing vehicles possibly having to mount the pavement.

"There is no requirement for loading or unloading on the west side of the road because this is the Carnegie Library building which has access to the rear so it is proposed that this whole side should be restricted to ‘No Waiting/No Loading at any time’.

“On the east side there is still a requirement for loading and unloading so this will remain unchanged (No Loading, Monday to Saturday, 10am until 6pm).

However, it is proposed to introduce ‘No Waiting at any time double yellow line restrictions as shown to remove the option of parking overnight.”