The battle for a new Madras

Sir, – In response to the letter, “Selfish to deprive pupils of new Madras” (February 10).

Everyone agrees “the

sooner the new Madras College is built, the better” and “current campus” sites are sub-standard.

Burntisland councillor Kathleen Leslie, a former teacher, finds objections to its A91 access road “incomprehensible”.

If she specifies which, objectors can enlighten her in more simple terms.

But to describe them as “downright selfcentred” is nonsense, and offensive to NE Fifers (including our community council) who took the trouble to review the application and highlight its shortcomings.

The Madras College access will form part of the longer Western Development roadway which, like the school itself, should be located and constructed to be fitfor-purpose throughout the century, with maximum public support, minimal North Haugh encroachment, and greater safety, traffic and rush-hour considerations than provided by a mere “toucan” crossing over the busy A91.

That should be the view of all councillors, who must redeem Fife Council’s abject failure to relocate Madras since its unexplained breakdown of university negotiations (2011) and its grossly flawed Pipeland scheme (2013-16).

They could also “justify” siting the school as far away as possible from Station Park playing fields. John Birkett. 12 Horseleys Park, St Andrews.