PLANS to close off part of a popular car park while city centre roadworks take place have been parked by Fife Council.

Work to install traffic lights on the Bothwell Gardens roundabout, close to Dunfermline's railway station, is due to start in April and continue for around 16 weeks.

It had been initially announced that the car park behind St Leonard's Parish Church would be needed as a site compound to include welfare facilities, portacabins, plant and machinery, vehicles and storage of site materials.

However, after concerns were raised by the church and local residents, this has now been changed and a nearby garage area will now be used as the base for site workers.

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The news has been welcomed by local councillor, Aude Boubaker-Calder, who had raised concerns with the local authority.

"The car park is well-used by both worshippers and other organisations using the building, and removal of part of this for some time would have caused major disruption and make the church less accessible," she said.

"It would have also had a knock-on effect on local residents in an already congested parking area.

"Parents also expressed concerns about the safety of their children when dropping them at local youth groups such as the Scouts and the Guides.

"I raised this with the Council's Transportation team and I am delighted that they have listen to the concerns of the local community and have now found an alternative location to set up their base by the garage area.

"This should ensure that parking for the church remains accessible to users."

Fife Council's Service Manager, Mark Dewar, confirmed the change of plan.

"After notifying the church of the potential restriction on the car park, and taking concerns into consideration, we were made aware of plans for nearby garages to be demolished," he said.

"I'm pleased that we will be able to utilise this area of land instead throughout the duration of the works."

The signalisation of Bothwell Gardens roundabout, as well as resurfacing works and upgrades to the traffic signals at the Nethertown Broad St/Moodie Street junction, is part of a previously announced £37 million package of traffic improvements planned in Dunfermline.