Thanks to the support of our concerned community, local groups and individuals from even further afield we have managed to make a positive change for Methilhaven Road and our urban trees. We have also had significant coverage through various articles in our local press.
Your action and support has helped to influence Fife Council to revise their design of Phase One of the proposed Active Travel network, which will now retain the four largest mature cherry and sycamore trees between Methil Community Fire Station and the Toll bar Roundabout. And although a number of smaller less mature trees will still be felled we have had assurances replacement planting will be agreed and await to see finalised plans for this. Fife Council have also carried out detailed surveys of the existing trees to ensure their protection during future works.
But your contribution has not ended here. Beyond preserving our urban trees this campaign has been a call for greater community engagement and consultation over Fife Councils proposed Active Travel plans for Methilhaven Road, and for detailed information to be made available as to the impact of future phases, primarily between Toll Bar Roundabout and the Percival Road junction in Buckhaven.
We have since been informed that Fife Council will now revise their plans for the entirety of the Active Travel Path along Methilhaven Road. And even better they intend to hold a community consultation at some point this summer to display the proposed plans in detail and give the local community the opportunity to comment on them in person!
We feel this is a positive and collaborative outcome that will give our community the opportunity to be engaged and influence the final design of this considerable piece of new infrastructure in the Methil and Buckhaven area whilst preserving and valuing our precious mature trees.
In the meantime our petition remains open. We await a date for the proposed consultation and have been informed by Fife Council that they are continuing to refine their designs and that more details will be made available when funding for the project is confirmed. As soon as we know we will share another update.
Thankyou again for all your support and please see below some of the recent press coverage our campaign has received;
Courier Article - February 2024