SCRAPPING of Sunday parking charges could be sped up after councillors backed a motion at the recent full council meeting.

Councillors James Calder and Gavin Ellis had asked that powers are devolved to local areas as quickly as possible so they are able to make decisions to help affected businesses.

The motion followed the launch of the Press’ ‘Keep it Free’ campaign which called for the council’s Sunday parking charges to be scrapped in Dunfermline.

Hugely unpopular when they were introduced in January 2017, the Sunday fees were condemned by angry traders, shoppers and politicians for “killing” business and threatening jobs.

Cllr Calder welcomed the latest development.

“Dunfermline councillors backed a review into Sunday parking charges recently and I am keen we have this power as soon as possible,” he said.

“I am pleased the entire council has supported this motion to ensure we have the powers as soon as possible. Businesses are clear that Sunday parking is damaging and we will welcome the powers being brought to Dunfermline.”

Cllr Ellis added: “It’s great to see a genuine effort being taken to put the power over parking in Dunfermline into the hands of Dunfermline’s councillors and not decided centrally from Glenrothes.

“I look forward to bringing this back to the Dunfermline area committee and seeing Sunday parking charges reversed and a focus to work with our local businesses to identify what other key shopping dates these charges could be removed from or to have the charging times amended.”