St Andrews residents are angry at plans to update South Street, with one man labelling proposed changes “the death of the town”.
Residents attended a recent consultation event to argue the main shopping street should return to its pre-pandemic layout.
Nick Chalmers is a “Fifer born and bred” and has lived in St Andrews for the last 14 years.
He does not approve of the changes made to South Street in 2020 under the Spaces for People programme. These were temporary measures built in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to aid social distancing.
“One, I would like the street to be returned to how it was pre-Covid,” he said.
“Two, I would like it returned to that state now.”
Mr Chalmers said that his wife currently has difficulty navigating the pavements on South Street.
“It’s dreadful,” Nick said.
“There are also fewer parking spaces, replaced by plant boxes which I think are the equivalent of tattie boxes.
“When they made the changes, they promised they would return it to how it was.
“And I would like them to keep that promise.”
Some St Andrews residents are not big fans of the interventions still in place on South Street.
These “build-outs” – outdoor seating for businesses, planters, and more pavement space – removed 44 parking spaces on the busy street.
Fife Council is holding a consultation to get the public’s thoughts on plans to make further changes to the street’s layout in the future.
This includes whether these interventions should be changed, made permanent or removed altogether.
What South Street changes are Fife Council proposing?
Council officials want to see the current South Street layout enhanced, “rebalancing the streetscape in favour of active and sustainable travel”.
That means widening footways, adding public seating, tables, planters, trees
and cycle parking.
This could mean a loss of outdoor table space for cafes, bars and restaurants on South Street.
The project spans the length of South Street in St Andrews, from West Port Gate to the mini roundabout at Abbey Street.
A drop-in event held earlier this month gave residents the opportunity to share their thoughts on the way South Street is right now, as well as the ways it could change.
Residents did not hold back.
Changing South Street in St Andrews would lead to ‘the death of the town’
“It’s just an eyesore,” said resident Bob Fraser.
“For the people that are trying to make a living in St Andrews, that’s a disaster.
“I feel very strongly about this because I think it is a beautiful town.”
Bob, 77, has lived in St Andrews for more than 35 years.
He pointed to visualisations of what South Street could look like: “That’s the death of the town.”
Julia Young added that with the current layout, “it is unclear where pedestrians can walk”.
Allan MacLean is the lead consultant for Sustainable Traffic and Travel with Fife Council.
He said: “We recognise that many different opinions exist about the benefits of the footway extensions in South Street, St Andrews.
“The interventions have been well used by the public, with many enjoying the continental, outdoor café style, within a vibrant street.”
Data shows footfall in St Andrews has returned to pre-pandemic levels
He said trade had not suffered due to the current South Street layout.
“Data shows that footfall in South Street has returned to 2019 (pre-Covid) levels and St Andrews was voted the top Scottish seaside resort with a top five UK ranking,” he added.
Consumer magazine Which? published the resort poll in 2022.
He continued: “The widened footways are temporary in nature, since the design and materials used are not permanent.
“However, should the public indicate that they are supportive of these spaces – with potentially more room for pedestrians, seating, improved disability provision, planting, cycle parking – then these areas could be rebuilt with permanent drainage and high-quality surfacing materials, to match the surrounding environment and in keeping with the conservation status of the town centre.
“The current consultation gives residents, traders and visitors the chance to let us know their views about future provision for South Street.”
The online survey is available until January 11.
Conversation