Power cable move causes Leuchars car park delay

Tim Brett, councillor for the Taybridgehead ward in north east Fife said: “This is very frustrating given that it is now over two years since funding for this scheme was awarded by Fife Council.

“The latest delay is linked to the need to move an electricity cable that crosses the site and I know from my contact with council officers that this is now the cause of the delay.”

A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said: “We work very closely with Fife Council on a range of matters. In terms of plans to move the cable at Leuchars railway station, we are currently awaiting instruction from the council to allow us to plan this job. We have made contact with the council today, and we are happy to plan this job when we have the required information.”

Mark Dewar, service manager for design & construction at Fife Council, explained: “This hasn’t been a straightforward project and we need to divert some Scottish Power apparatus, including a high voltage cable, out of and around the site.

“We instructed Scottish Power to carry out these essential works, at our expense, at the beginning of this year. However, part of this process required Scottish Power to obtain a deed of servitude to access the site. Our draft deed of servitude was provided to Scottish Power’s solicitors in April and after a few reminders, our legal team received feedback on it at the end of May.

“Now that the work on the Grant of Servitude is almost complete we will soon be able to make contact with Scottish Power to set a firm date for them to carry out the work on site. Their availability to do this will shape the update to the overall work programme for the extension.”

The station is popular with commuters from across north east Fife and the car park is regularly full, with many drivers being hit with fines for parking outwith designated parking bays.