Upgraded coastal path at Pittenweem officially reopens

The work was carried out by Fife Council in partnership with the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, and has seen a section of the path upgraded to provide greater access and to counteract the potential for future coastal erosion.

Along with these improvements the council took the opportunity to clean up an area of land at the site of the former gasworks at Pittenweem using an innovative environmentally sustainable remedial solution.

Councillor Lesley Laird, depute leader and executive spokesperson for enterprise and environment, was joined by local elected members and staff from Fife Council and the Fife Coast & Countryside Trust to officially open the new section of path.

She said: “Fife’s Coastal Path is the jewel in the crown of Fife’s tourism and plays an important economic role in attracting visitors to the area and bringing in business to the local service industry.

“The improvements which we have carried out on time and on budget will mean that this section of the path can now be used throughout the year.

“At the same time we have been able to clean up a section of land which was affected by historical contamination, improving the environment for all.

“The path along the seafront at Pittenweem has been closed and the path diverted through the village since October 2015, to enable the work to go ahead, but is now open to all.”

The work was planned for the winter months when there are fewer visitors to the area and the path is less well used in order to minimise inconvenience.

Cllr Laird continued: “I’d like to thank the local residents for their patience and understanding while this work was taking place. I’m sure the increased traffic and re-routing of the path has been an inconvenience but now both locals and visitors alike can enjoy the benefits that these upgrades will bring.

“I look forward to the area receiving even more visitors and local path users in the coming months who can enjoy the specific beauty of this part of the route.”