A CONTROVERSIAL parking strategy being proposed for St Andrews by Fife Council has come in for scathing criticism, amid claims that it would be “madness” to allow it to be implemented.

Councillor Bill Sangster claims its introduction would have a devastating effect on all sections within the community, and has urged that it be shelved in its present form.

He said that the plan—which is about to go out for public consultation—is being presented to the community without the local knowledge required to alleviate any traffic management problems or to find a set of options which all sections in the town can then consider.

Councillor Sangster (St Andrews Central) said the proposals on which the plan is based, the Fife Wide Parking Strategy, was submitted in October of 2003 and was based on a report from consultants commissioned by the council.

He pointed out yesterday the document clearly said “the hierarchy of town centres should be reviewed every three years in conjunction with the council’s economic review of town centres.” Councillor Sangster said, “As the strategy currently proposed is dated 2003, and itself states that a review should be carried out every three years, are we not considering a proposal which is already out of date?

“It is not acceptable to put a plan, which will have such a devastating effect on our workforce, tourism, businesses, hotels and the community, out for public consultation.

“On reading the review it was obvious that no consideration was given to the way in which St Andrews goes about its day-to-day business.

“There is not one mention from the first page to the last of St Andrews having a university with 7000 students plus 1600 staff. No mention of thousands of spectators arriving to watch world championship golf tournaments.

“In fact, I wonder if the review personnel actually came to St Andrews at all.”

Councillor Sangster said only one paragraph in the review mentioned that St Andrews is a major tourist resort and had a tourist season followed immediately by the return to the town of around 7000 students.

“This is and has been the life and soul of St Andrews over the years. The hotels, guesthouses and businesses survive because there are six great golf courses, soon to be seven, in the largest golf centre in Europe. There is no mention of that.

“The historic core, the St Andrews castle and its cathedral, and a medieval harbour. There is no mention of any of these.”

The first phase of the parking plan is the introduction this summer of park and display machines to replace the voucher system. A total of 38 parking meters are being proposed at a cost of around £105,000.

However, there has been criticism that the near six-foot tall machines will be located in some of the most historic streets in the conservation area and a number of objections have been lodged with the local authority.

Councillor Sangster said, however, that there should be the option of a free, clock card system for the town centre.

He added, “It will be madness if we let this parking plan go anywhere as it stands.

“I propose that it be withdrawn and, with local input over the next few months, come up with a framework which the community can understand and allow them to put forward their views in a public consultation which should give several options.

“The result of an economic and retail vitality review of St Andrews has still to be carried out and offered to the community, and this was recommended in the Fife Wide Parking Strategy.

“Without this review it is impossible to see how the community consultation exercise can be carried out.”

Phase II of the strategy is to be introduced in summer 2008 and will include the implementation of all-year round parking charges at three off-street car parks in St Andrews—Petheram Bridge, the Bruce Embankment and Kinburn Park—which are at present free of charge or seasonal.

Also proposed is a significant extension to the on-street charged areas to include many streets that presently offer free parking. It has been claimed it will cost over £700 a year to park in one of the main car parks if the new strategy is adopted.

Principal changes are: introduction of a 30-minute parking period in the inner core, new inner and middle core parking zones, an expansion of the residents’ parking scheme to middle core streets, and the park and ride service becoming financially sustainable.

The middle core on-street parking, with a maximum stay of four hours, would include the free parking areas on The Scores, North Street, Abbey Street, Howard Place and Hope Street, coupled with the introduction of residents’ parking permits.

Council officials say the key aims of the parking plan include an easier ticket system, improved parking availability, reduced traffic congestion and a residents’ scheme.

The council considers there is a need for greater control all year over parking in several areas of the town, while the proposed Petheram Bridge charges would eventually be linked to a free park and ride service.