Guardbridge community event produces a vision for the future

Some would like to see the lighting on cycle routes and pathways in the village improved

They were some of the ideas to emerge from an event held last month called ‘Looking Forward in Guardbridge’.

Run under the umbrella of the ‘Place Standard’ initiative developed by the Scottish Government, Architecture Design Scotland and NHS Scotland, the event comprised a series of workshops attended by a total of 37 people, who gave their views on how they felt the community could be improved.

The findings were collated by Fife Council and a report given to Guardbridge Community Council, with a view to it implementing some of the ideas with the help of the local authority.

Top of almost everyone’s list was the need to draw the community together and it was agreed that a community hub would be a significant asset to the village

It was also hoped that community events could be resurrected and that an oral history project could be set up in the former mill, now owned by St Andrews University.

There were also calls for the paths around the village to be regenerated and signage and lighting improved on cycle paths.

And the village’s playparks are to be reviewed and the need for a MUGA - multi-use games area - or skate park explored.

Other issues included improving speed reduction measures and making pedestrian crossings safer.

Councillor Tim Brett said: “Over the last 10 years a great deal has happened in Guardbridge, including the closure of the paper mill but, more recently, with the University of St Andrews having acquired the mill, there is much to look forward to.”

Elspeth Paterson, chairman of the community council, described the event as ‘interesting’.

“There were some innovative ideas put forward but we’ll have to look at the practicalities of putting them into action,” she said.