The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Traders tear a strip off council after bollards are wrapped in paper
COWDENBEATH: Project aims to spark discussion on how to improve town
Covering bollards in a Fife town with coloured paper has been branded a ridiculous and pointless gimmick.
The Colour Boulevard project was aimed at kickstarting a conversation about improvements to Cowdenbeath town centre but Conservative councillor Darren Watt said he and many residents and business owners were far from impressed.
Fife Council drafted in Glasgow-based studio NADFLY, which specialises in art for community engagement, at a cost, it is understood, just short of £5,000.
Artists covered the bollards last week and remained in Cowdenbeath this week, gathering people’s views on town centre regeneration.
Councillor Watt said: “Residents, businesses and shop owners of Cowdenbeath are completely fed up with endless conversations, discussions and meetings. They want action, not more lip-service.
“Wrapping brightly-coloured paper around some bollards for a week might bring short-term hope and enthusiasm, but that will quickly diminish when we are back to reality and see little to no difference or improvement.”
Gemma Muirhead, owner of Jane Kirk Hair and Beauty, said: “We should be focusing on how to attract business, foot traffic and interest in our town.
“Wrapping candy-striped paper almost makes a mockery of the High Street.”
Ewen Mackenzie, owner of gift shop Something Different, said: “We need to get the empty shops filled, that would make the High Street look more colourful.”
Fife Council community manager for Cowdenbeath, Kevin Sayer, said: “The exercise initiated by NADFLY is intended to raise awareness of the £1 million-plus project that will be undertaken to improve walking and cycling routes into Cowdenbeath town centre together with improvements to public space and street furniture.
“The work is funded from the overall project budget.
“This week NADFLY are meeting reps from Cowdenbeath Community Council and staff at Beath High School to develop consultation and engagement with a wider audience.”