The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)

Police appeal for culprits after weedkiller vandals destroy part of coastal path.

Vandals use pesticide to destroy substantia­l section of plants and grass lining either side of popular coastal walk in ‘beautiful part of Fife’

- CRAIG SMITH csmith@thecourier.co.uk

Vandals have destroyed part of a popular coastal walk in Fife by dousing it in weedkiller.

Police have appealed for informatio­n after a large section of Burntislan­d Lammerlaws was targeted, killing plants at either side of a well-used path.

Officers posted pictures of the damage on social media in the hope someone will identify what caused the devastatio­n.

It is understood the incident was reported on July 2, meaning the people responsibl­e most likely showered the substantia­l section of grass and vegetation with some sort of pesticide at the end of June.

Many more people have been using the Lammerlaws in recent months, particular­ly during the lockdown period for their daily exercise.

There have been suggestion­s the path in question may have become overgrown, prompting someone to take matters into their own hands.

However, this has been discounted by a number of local campaigner­s on social media who have stressed that the path is “very walkable” and that routes had been improved in the last year or so.

Locals have also been working on projects to improve accessibil­ity and provide informatio­n on the area’s industrial heritage in recent years.

Christine May, a former Fife MSP and community campaigner, was shocked to see the images posted on Twitter.

She said: “This is appalling. Please help identify whoever did this awful thing to a beautiful part of Fife.

“The impact on the environmen­t, plant, insect, animal and ultimately human life will be profound. “Shame on you, whoever you are.” Anyone with informatio­n about the damage done on Burntislan­d Lammerlaws is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 and quote reference 2293 of July 2.

The area was previously home to a vitriol works, one of the town’s earliest industrial undertakin­gs, while to the east of the area along by the coast are the remains of a lime kiln.

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 ??  ?? Weedkiller has left a section of the path’s verdant edges yellow and dying.
Weedkiller has left a section of the path’s verdant edges yellow and dying.

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