Coastal path to be diverted for £85m school to be constructed
A SECTION of the Fife Coastal Path will be diverted to allow for the building of the new high school in Rosyth.
The South and West Fife area committee backed moves to change the public right of way at Wilson Way.
A report explained: “The developer is requesting this in order to provide a secure, safe and private social space for the school development.
“There is a requirement for the core path to be diverted at the point where it heads west at the top of Wilson Way.”
The £85million replacement for Inverkeithing High School will be built at the Fleet Grounds and it’s due to open in
August 2026.
The existing core path, which is also part of the coastal path, cuts through the middle of the council’s proposed site which would ‘pose a risk for school security’.
As plans currently stand, developers want to divert the pathway to skirt the edges of the site. The new and improved segment would be constructed along Rosyth’s Admiralty Road.
Councillors were assured that the diverted route would be built to a “much higher standard” than the existing path.
It would be able to accommodate cyclists as well as walkers and it would be well lit to improve public safety.
“The gains to the applicant are a more secure school site. Gains to the general public are a much higher-grade path with lighting,” the committee report confirmed.
Cllr Brian Goodall had some reservations about moving the path to the busy Admiralty Road area, but councillors ultimately agreed to the plans.
However, the committee’s decision is not the end of the matter. The diversion plans must be advertised and the public must be given the opportunity to object.
Councillors were told that the main consultation is being done through the new school planning process, and maps showing the diversion have been available at all public events.
If the path diversion goes ahead, developers say they will put a temporary diversion in place when path construction work begins in order to keep people safe.