THERE’S been another u-turn from Fife Council who have confirmed they won’t be taking forward plans to install barriers on Dunfermline’s High Street.

In 2019 the solution to a long running problem – designed to stop motorists flouting the rules and driving into the pedestrianised area when they shouldn’t – was ruled out as too expensive.

But two years later, in December 2021, they announced a barrier at the top of Douglas Street would be installed to stop those who “continue to abuse the traffic regulations” in the city centre.

Asked for an update this week, the council’s transportation team, said that at this time, they are not going ahead with the idea.

There is a ban on vehicles on High Street between noon and 3pm, Monday to Saturday, but it is regularly ignored with fed-up pedestrians having to get out of the way of cars and vans.

In 2021 the town centre economy adviser, Sunil Varu, said the barrier would help to create a “traffic-free environment”.

In a report to the City of Dunfermline area committee he wrote: “To stop this abuse and create the traffic-free environment which the regulations were introduced for, a barrier will be installed at the top of Douglas Street.”

The council had previously ruled out an automated barrier at the entrance to the pedestrianisation zone “due to the high ongoing maintenance and repair costs”.

Now a spokesperson has confirmed that there are no plans to take the work forward at this time.

Last year former councillor and Dunfermline area convener Helen Law said she was in favour of longer vehicle-free periods on High Street but that there was a “lot of resistance”.

She cited concerns that traders in the city centre believed barriers could discourage shoppers, including those with disabilities who rely on driving.

Mrs Law further stressed that outwith noon to 3pm, it is only blue badge-holders and delivery vehicles that are allowed on High Street.