Masterplan lays out scheme to breathe life into Kincardine

Revamp of high street and road changes are part of the proposal

A masterplan to enhance Kincardine and help it recover from the loss of nearby Longannet Power Station has been published.

The blueprint for the Fife town includes a redesign of the high street and creation of gateways, including from the Kincardine Bridge.

Those behind the Kincardine, Places For Everyone project want to hear the views of the community before proposals are progressed further.

It was developed from a charrette held locally and boards outlining the aims are on display in the windows of the Coalfields Training and Enterprise Hub on the High Street.

A redesign of the High Street is planned to enhance commercial activity, with buses redirected to the North Approach Road, improvements to shop fronts and landscaping and a shared cycle and pedestrian path.

At the A977 junction, a roundabout could be reinstated or a simple T-junction created and pedestrian crossings improved.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust helps mining communities recover from pit closures through health and employment initiatives and the Kincardine project was launched to help recovery from the job losses of Longannet’s closure.

Nicky Wilson, who chairs the trustees in Scotland, said: “With our Scottish headquarters in the heart of Kincardine we are obviously keen to see improvements made to the local area.”

The trust worked with landscape architects Harrison-Stevens, with funding from sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

Mike Harrison, creative director and co-founder of Harrison-Stevens, said: “The design proposals for the reimagining of the High Street respond to the wishes of the community.”

Donald Campbell, chairman of the Go Forth Kincardine group, said: “It’s great to give the people of the town of Kincardine the opportunity to take part in the consultation on this really important project.”

From June 17 a virtual engagement platform will show images, videos and additional information and allow people to leave feedback.

“It’s great to give the people of the town of Kincardine the opportunity to take part in the consultation of this really important project. DONALD CAMPBELL