STREETSCAPE work which began in Inverkeithing town centre in December is beginning to take shape, Fife Council has said.
A range of improvement works, focused on the High Street, Market Square and Townhall Street will see an overall upgrade of pavement and road surfaces, create more people-friendly spaces, and improve the setting of the town’s heritage assets.
The town’s Mercat Cross will be taken off-site for specialist conservation and repair work. Once this is complete, it will be moved into an upgraded position in the market square. To help reduce disruption, the site has been sub-divided into work zones so that activity at any one time is localised.
Work on Church Street has been completed, as well as most of Townhall Street and Bank Street. Meanwhile, work is also being finished off on Bank Street and High Street and progressing towards Hope Street.
Improvement works to the main parking area on the High Street is set to begin towards the end of May and run to early July. There will continue to be free parking in the Queen Street car park during this time. Most of the construction work is due to be finished by the end of July and, once completed, there will be no reduction in car park spaces in the main square.
Councillor David Barratt, convener of the south and west Fife area committee, said, “It’s great to see these much-needed and long awaited improvement works underway. I look forward to our upgraded historic town centre attracting residents and visitors to this year’s Lammas Fair as we take the opportunity to relaunch the historic fair during the first week in August.”
Dr Susan O’Connor, head of grants at Historic Environment Scotland, added, “We are delighted to support Inverkeithing’s transformation through our conservation area regeneration scheme (CARS). The streetscape improvements, including the conservation of the Mercat Cross, reflect the culmination of five years of dedicated work to enhance Inverkeithing’s historic environment. By investing in its heritage, we can help create a more attractive town centre for local community and visitors alike, ensuring Inverkeithing’s rich history continues to inspire.”
