Drivers are being forced to reverse down a Kirkcaldy street because prison vans are blocking the road, it has been claimed.
Security firm G4S said it is looking for a long-term solution to the problem after a town centre resident told The Courier prison vans were also parking on pavements and blocking disabled access points.
The resident said vans were often obstructing South Fergus Place for hours at a time as they awaited court business to conclude.
The man, who did not want to be named, said: “The vans park there all day.
“They park on the dropped kerb, which is there to help disabled people and parents with buggies.
“I’ve seen the vans parked on both sides of the road, which forces people to reverse along the street.
“Do they have permission to do this? The traffic wardens appear to turn a blind eye. G4S is a private company so why do they not have to pay for parking? It is a matter of principle.”
After dropping prisoners at the court, the vehicles park in the area until they are required at the end of the day.
Though double yellow lines are in place on much of the route, Fife Council says its traffic wardens can exercise discretion in certain situations.
Adding that staff will now monitor events, Tony McRae from the local authority said: “Although there is no specific exemption for G4S to park on double yellow lines, they are clearly carrying out an important loading/unloading activity that requires them to be in very close proximity to the court for security reasons.
“As such the parking attendants are permitted to use their discretion in these circumstances and will permit this activity providing that it is not being abused.”
Stating staff would park appropriately for security reasons, Willie Galloway, G4S Prisoner Escorting Operations Director, said: “It is important that we minimise the distance between vehicles and court building entrances to ensure the safety and security of persons in our care and the general public.
“In this particular case, the secure entrance is immediately accessed from roadside.
“We are in discussions with local authorities to try and find a long term solution that ensures we can continue to provide a safe, secure and timely service to the court whilst minimising disruption to other road users.”
Earlier this month it was revealed G4S had fallen foul of traffic wardens in Perth after repeatedly blocking access to disabled parking spaces.
