Come to our town centre, Fife College is urged by politicians

Fife College is being urged to build a new campus in the heart of Dunfermline’s town centre.

Politicians have backed a call from business improvement district organisation Dunfermline Delivers to the college board to relocate its Halbeath campus into town.

It is thought that such a move could rejuvenate the struggling town centre area as up to 3,000 students could be arriving into Dunfermline every day.

Dunfermline Delivers has claimed three major retailers have indicated they would come to the town centre if the college moves there.

City of Dunfermline area committee chairwoman Helen Law said: “It is absolutely clear that the people of Dunfermline and the west Fife villages want a college in the centre of Dunfermline.”

It is believed Fife College will make a decision soon.

Mrs Law said this was a “last ditch attempt to make the college board fully aware of the strength of local opinion”.

“It is a disadvantage to young people living out in the villages, some of our poorest communities, to have to get on two buses and pay two bus fares each way every day.

Having the college in the town centre could make a phenomenal difference in regenerating the area, according to Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman, who added: “There is a clear consensus that the college should come into the town.”

Cara Hilton MSP agreed, saying the footfall from thousands of students and staff would make the town centre more vibrant day and night.

Bill Fletcher, chairman of Dunfermline Delivers, said it was a once in a generation opportunity to reverse the fortunes of a challenged town centre.

“It is the strongly held belief of the whole board and levy payers that we make every effort to secure this.

“It would also help the town attract more live entertainment as promoters always ask if there is a student base.”

Possible locations include the former Duracord factory site and Leys Park Road car park.