A warning has been issued that a child could be knocked down as visitors flocking to a Fife seaside resort park on its green.
Drivers have been given temporary permission to leave cars on Burntisland Links as a surge in beach-goers during the warm weather has overwhelmed car parks.
Locals have pleaded with Fife Council to find an alternative solution, fearing someone could be hit as children play on the popular link.
There are also fears that the area used to stage the annual highland games next week will be damaged.
Around 60 people, including traders, residents and showmen from the summer funfair, attended a meeting of Burntisland Community Council to vent their frustration.
Chairman Alex MacDonald said: “Feelings were strong that parking on the links is not a good idea.
“We are worried that someone will be hit by a car. There are kids running around enjoying themselves on the links and it just takes a moment for a driver to be distracted and something untoward to happen.
“With weather like this Burntisland is a lovely place to come and we want people to come but we don’t want this situation where there are cars and people on the links.
“There is space round about that could be used if approaches were made to the right people. We believe Fife Council should be taking more steps to bring into use the available parking space.”
Burntisland is due to host its 366th highland games a week today and the area being used for parking forms part of the arena.
People are also worried that athletes will not come if the arena is not deemed fit for the sporting events.
Damien Woods, Fife Council’s parks streets and open spaces manager, said the authority was keeping a close eye on the ground and taking steps to tackle the parking issues.
He said: “The success of Burntisland Links as a top visitor attraction, coupled with the recent good weather, has contributed to an increase in the volume of cars and put real pressure on the available car parking spaces.
“There are alternatives at various locations in Burntisland and we are working with our colleagues in transportation to ease the volume of traffic in and around the Links area.
“In the meantime, we have agreed to a trial, where we will allow parking on the links temporarily as a short term solution.
“We are well-aware of the importance of this area to Burntisland Highland Games and the surface conditions are being managed and carefully monitored.
“If there are any changes in the weather and any risk to the grass being damaged, parking will not be permitted on the links.”
