A DUNFERMLINE town centre resident has hit out at plans to impose parking restrictions outside her home.

Gill Munro has lived in Rolland Street for 20 years and contacted the Press after last week’s decision by the City of Dunfermline area committee to bring in a residents’ parking scheme.

The measure had been mooted after householders in Reid Street, Rolland Street and Kirklands had complained that council workers from New City House were taking up spaces near their homes.

A length of double yellow lines will now be introduced at the west end of Rolland Street while marked parking bays will be restricted to two-hour waiting between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Residents’ permit-holders will be exempt from these restrictions so will be able to park all day.

Ms Munro said the solution was not acceptable.

“This issue has only been a problem since the council relocated their offices to our area and deliberately made no provision for their employees to park,” she said.

“This was raised as an objection at the time and on at least two occasions since. 

“The council have repeatedly ignored calls to provide parking for their employees and have now taken the decision to impose parking restrictions in my street that will seriously impede my family life.

“Anyone visiting me will be restricted to two hours; this includes my father, who needs a car for mobility, and my children, who visit from abroad. This is clearly a serious problem.”

She said the proposals would reduce available overnight parking by at least nine spaces.

“Where will the last nine car owners to arrive home each evening park their cars?” Gill added.

“Surely it is illogical to respond to issues about parking availability for residents by significantly reducing the spaces available to residents?

“The problems are not the same in each street and we have received no information as to the number of residents who approved the changes in each street.”

Committee convener Helen Law said residents still had a chance to appeal the traffic regulation order decision up to 21 days after it is published on the Fife Direct website.

“Everyone knows in that area that parking is very difficult and creating a residents’ parking scheme is to protect the residents,” she said.

“The yellow lines is for the turning point and I would have thought this would have helped to alleviate the situation.

“Since this decision, residents from a number of areas have been in contact to ask about residents’ parking because they see it as a way that they can access their own spaces when living near a big employer or perhaps a train station.

“I know people will find that it is unfortunate having to go down that road but, at the same time, if it makes sure you can park outside your home, I thought it would perhaps be helpful. 

“Folk who live there will understand the impact but if they feel this is not the right solution for them, they need to make an objection throughout the process and the objection will be taken into account before the final decision.”