DESPITE two objections to parking proposals for a busy street in Cowdenbeath, councillors have agreed to the proposed changes.

In May Cowdenbeath Area Committee agreed to plans to create a 30 minute parking bay in Station Road opposite the railway station side of the street.

The proposals, which were part of a package of measures to help increase footfall on High Street, were advertised and attracted two objections which were on the grounds of safety and alternative parking. The objection on safety grounds was detailed as concern that as Station Road is a main route into this part of Cowdenbeath owing to the the restricted height of the bridge on Union Street, free flowing traffic should be maintained in both directions. The objectors feel that it would be unsafe to provide parking bays at the proposed location as vehicles will have to ‘give and take’ when passing the bays which would be located close to a blind corner.

On alternative parking the objectors feel that people using the shops on Station Road should use available parking further up the street and there was no need for additional parking in front of the shops.

But roads engineer, Murray Hannah, told the committee that although parking restrictions have been in place there for a number of years there had always been considerable abuse of these with vehicles regularly parking in this location.

He added, “By formalising the short length of parking bay this will encourage drivers to park in a safer position than they currently do as these bays are restricted to 30 minutes which should prevent any long term parking at this location.” On the alternative parking issue he said, “Although parking is available shoppers typically want to park as close as possible to where they are going.

“The reason for the changes is to help support the economy of Cowdenbeath and we feel that introducing this parking, which is restricted to 30 minutes to allow turnover of spaces, will help support these nearby small businesses.

“Some of the shop owners have voiced strong support for the introduction of parking.

“It is considered that in the interests of supporting local businesses in Cowdenbeath these proposals should be implemented”.

The committee agreed with Mr Hannah’s thoughts and unanimously agreed that the proposals be put in place.