PLANS to introduce parking charges at the Ferrytoll Park & Ride in Inverkeithing will be discussed by councillors next week.

It comes as Fife Council bids to tackle a transport overspend of more than £1.5million.

In a report to the council’s executive committee it’s highlighted that reduced levels of income from car-parking charges and increased spending on fuel have contributed to the overspend.

Now, in a bid to control the budget, measures including reducing routine roads and flooding maintenance and introducing charges for busier car parks like Ferrytoll Park and Ride which is currently free, will be discussed at next week’s meeting.

And the report also warns that balancing the books could continue to prove challenging if the council has to deal with high costs associated with severe winter weather.

Executive spokesperson for environment and transportation Councillor Pat Callaghan said, “Our priorities are to make sure that our roads and pavements are safe for Fifers all year round and that we manage the Kingdom’s waste effectively.

"However, we live in challenging times and we have to continue to meet these priorities with diminishing resources.” Transportation and environmental services are responsible for managing and maintaining the Kingdom’s roads network, providing supported public transport, concessionary travel and accessible transport, waste collection and recycling and looking after the council’s fleet of vehicles.

Cllr Callaghan continued, “We took a decision earlier in the year not to go ahead with the annual parking charges in our town centres but this comes at a cost and the recommendation is to pay for this by cutting the road maintenance budget.

"It is also the case that the amount of revenue expected to come from charging has been falling in the last few years.

"The question is also being posed should we be introducing a charge to cover the maintenance and running costs of some of the other park and ride facilities.

"These are all issues that need to be discussed not just within the committee but with stakeholders and communities across Fife.

“Budgets will continue to be monitored closely to help us resolve these issues as they arise.”