Nearly 100 people assembled in the newly painted Upper Library.

2 out of 3 Fife Councillors, most Community Councillors, several people from the Shows and residents from all parts of the town discussed ‘the problem’ for over an hour.

The meeting was chaired by CC Chairman Alex MacDonald who did his best to make sure only one person talked at a time.

Towards the end he took a vote on several specific questions.

Those present almost unanimously wanted no parking on The Links at any time. A significant majority wanted an end to the present situation where Fife Council has sanctioned parking on the grass at the place used for the Highland Games – there will be no parking on the day of the games.

Fife Council is also restricting on-road parking on that day, though the notice makes no mention of where parking will be permitted –

Click to access c64_Burntisland(MarketDay)NWAATonline.pdf

There was general agreement that parking was a problem.

Increasing numbers of people are coming by car rather than public transport – especially at the moment with the unusual run of hot weather.

Various suggestions were made about sites where parking was possible, notably Forth Ports owned land including BiFab’s carpark.

Shuttle buses (common in other places hosting significant events) were suggested several times as was the idea that Fife Council had ‘no money’ even for signs to direct people to temporary carparks.

Fife Council was blamed for not adequately dealing with parking over many years.

It was agreed that visitors were essential for Burntisland and car use was inevitable and that most people were ‘unwilling to walk far’.

Encouraging Active Travel, and the fact that this was one of Fife Council’s policies was mentioned and also that Burntisland Station is not fully accessible.

The Showmen made it clear that they weren’t in favour of parking on The Links but were reluctantly managing the parking for Fife Council, to prevent a worse situation.

Various people questioned the legality of Fife Council’s actions in drawing up plans for parking, partly because it’s Burntisland Common Good land, but also whether correct procedures, including risks assessments, have been followed.

The meeting was valuable for airing views, suggesting options and getting a feeling for local opinion, but ended with unanswered questions and no certainties about short or long term ‘solutions’ to parking on The Links or elsewhere. Over to Fife Council…

Comments on Burntisland Public Facebook page.

https://www.change.org/p/jim-jopling-stop-the-links-being-used-as-a-overflow-car-park

“1/2 Huge volume of cars due to good weather and fair at Burntisland Links putting pressure on parking. We are looking for solutions but as a temporary measure we are allowing parking on the Links short term.”

“2/2 The Highland Games are coming soon and the surface is being managed and monitored to make sure it is not damaged. If there are any changes in the weather and any risk to the grass being damaged, parking will not be permitted on the Links.”

(Facebook message this afternoon)

“It is with great sadness that we have decided to close Potter About Cafe. Ill health and increased caring duties have caught up with us both and we find ourselves unable to continue.

We wanted to make Potter About a place where everyone is welcome. We are very thankful to have had such supportive, hardworking and dedicated staff. We are proud of the number of young people with a disability for whom we have been able to provide work experience and offer employment.

We are also aware of the support of our local community and our regular customers from further afield. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to you all for supporting our business, the Suspended Coffee Scheme, the Foodbank and for being part of the atmosphere, goodwill and community that is Potter About.

We hope you will continue to enjoy Potter About until we close; our last day of trading is Saturday the 28th of July.

Thank you everyone – we couldn’t have done it without you 😍.

https://www.facebook.com/Potter-About-Cafe-106272249436825/

FFP story.

Goats cheese and beetroot salad for lunch today.

“Royal Burgh of Burntisland Community Council
(Sunday evening)
Special Community Council Meeting
Thursday 5th July
7.00pm Burgh Chambers
To Discuss the Parking Of Cars
On The Links
Everyone Welcome”

https://en-gb.facebook.com/274034585958132/posts/special-community-council-meeting-thursday/2385641034797466/

Yesterday local Fife Councillor Gordon Langlands posted a Fife Council plan for parking on the part of the Links used by the Highland Games on his ward Facebook page.

The reaction on his FB page and the Burntisland Public FB Pages was largely a mixture of disbelief and outrage.

a sample –

“Stephanie Hutton Why on earth was this agreed? We have so little green space in the town and the Highland Games Arena is a great space to have picnics and for Families to play ball games. Can you please advise where the funds made from the destruction of this green space is going?”

“Cllr Gordon Langlands: Burntisland, Kinghorn & Western Kirkcaldy New Parks Team Manager discovered that because no unauthorised vehicles are allowed on grass and Council is aware cars park there then FC is liable for any incident and this is his solution to manage the parking for this summer.”

“Kirsty Robb Hi with the new Land Reform legislation a new set of guidance has been brought out which states that landowners (be it private, public, charitable) should consult/ engage with communities when there is a decision taken which has significant impact on a piece of land. I would say this is a pretty significant impact on a piece of common good land”

The Community Council has responded

“Parking on Links The recent decision to sanction parking on the Links has nothing to do with Burntisland Community Council. BCC are totally opposed to any parking on the grass and have campaigned for years to stop it. BCC, we’re not consulted about this and it has not been discussed in council. As far as the money being collected we have no knowledge of where it is going. We do not have a scheduled meeting until August but if feeling is strong enough we will convene one urgently.”

George McLauchlan (Secretary)

https://en-gb.facebook.com/BurntislandCC/posts/2381977655163804

SATURDAY UPDATE

Parking does not seem to be according to the plan.

“John Bell Some years ago Fife Council installed a ticket machine in the Links Car Park and had to uninstall it when they found out they had no powers to charge for parking on Common Good Fund land.”

https://en-gb.facebook.com/BurntislandCC/posts/2381977655163804

stooshie

This house is quite visible from many parts of the town.

Great views of The Binn and The sea.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-74175995.html

“Overlooking the Firth of Forth, Burntisland Beach is a wide sandy beach with plenty of rock pools to explore. Its promenade and traditional seaside entertainment make it popular with families.”

Daily 23 June-27 August

Patrol times 10am-6pm

https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/burntisland-beach

Sensational sunny afternoon for this classic event.

Des (“he’s 80 you know”) and dancers (some were older).

Video
 

Poster on Community Council noticeboard, High Street.

Initial list of tools –

“To join this new service The Ecology Centre asks all new members to pay a £10 annual membership fee (or more if you would like!) as security to borrow the tools and to cover the cost of offering this service. This annual membership fee is valid for 1 year from the date of starting your membership. Please bring along two forms of identification – one to include a photo and the other a utility bill with your address on it.”

https://www.theecologycentre.org/news/tool-library-launch-day