Urgent talks to save village’s pier from crumbling into sea

LOWER LARGO: Owner and local community council try to find solution

Talks have begun to save a historic Fife pier from crumbling into the sea.

Around a third of the pier in the fishing village of Lower Largo was destroyed as exceptionally high tides and winter storms battered the coast earlier this month.

Local councillor Colin Davidson said up to 30ft had been lost off the end of the structure.

Residents fear without action, it is only a matter of time before the pier is lost for good.

Largo Area Community Council has held meetings with pier owner Stuart Dykes of the Crusoe Hotel and it is hoped both parties will work together to find a solution.

This follows the breakdown of talks several years ago when a Save Largo Pier campaign attempted a community buyout of the breakwater.

In a statement on the Lundin Links and Largo Community Facebook page, David Peacock of the community council said Mr Dykes had restated his desire to pass the pier into community ownership.

“Both parties are now fully committed towards much closer collaboration and working towards an amicable solution,” he said.

“Residents are asked to show patience and understanding as we enter into further critical meetings. Regular progress will continue to be reported at LACC meetings.”

He said both parties had a strong desire to see the pier restored.

Mr Davidson has welcomed the progress and made it clear the talks are at an early but critical stage.

“Everybody concerned should be congratulated for the desire to find a solution,” he said.

“It’s all at a very early stage but it will be good news if a way forward is found.

“A lot of repairs are needed and it will cost a lot of money but if the community takes ownership of the pier, they’ll be able to raise that through grants and other fundraising.”

Local man Dan Casey watched in disbelief at the start of March as a huge chunk of the pier collapsed into the sea during a massive storm.

“It’s been lying in a state of disrepair for a number of years now,” he said.

Both parties are now fully committed towards much closer collaboration ... DAVID PEACOCK, LARGO AREA COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Picture: George McLuskie. Lower Largo pier is crumbling and there are now moves afoot to try and save it, with talks between its owner and the local community council.