Not a golden day for sands
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A community environment group has warned local residents that the return of the famous ‘Golden Sands’ at Buckhaven isn’t as positive as it may seem.
Local people who have visited the seaside in recent weeks may have noticed a change in the shoreline, but the CLEAR group says it is a combination of problems which have caused the return of the golden sands.
Although the area was very popular during the 1920s and 1930s, it was destroyed by the dumping of pit redd during the mining era, and left as a scenic but boulder-strewn backwater.
Now, a mixture of rampant coastal erosion over recent months and continued slippage of the braes above, as well as the mining-induced subsidence and heavy rain have led to serious problems and damage to the popular Fife Coastal Path, which Fife Coastal and Countryside Trust have already had to carry our remedial work on.
Bob Taylor, chairman of CLEAR, commented: “This stretch of coastline has suffered worse than any in Scotland from the earlier of dumping of coal waste which destroyed harbour and beach.
“The effects of mining are still being felt through this subsidence alongside an alarming rate of coastal erosion as sea levels continue to rise.”
Fife Council has been made aware of the threat to the area.
Murray Scott, consultant engineer, structural services, transport and environment, said: “We undertake annual monitoring in the area, and there is erosion in and long term subsidence.
“We will be inspecting the area in the next few weeks, trying to get out sooner rather than later.”
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
