BHAT was well represented at the meeting BCC-hosted public meeting during which Forth Ports presented their vision for the Burntisland Green Freeport. The Fife Council lead on the project was also present. We welcome the fact that consultation is finally underway and that the public can hopefully have some input into how it develops. We were able to put across the following points, which we hope will be given the consideration they deserve:
a. The proposed jetty for assembling floating offshore turbines be run out from the West, rather than the East, Dock. This would concentrate industrial activity in areas historically used for such activity.
b. Provision be made to reduce or eliminate dock related HGV traffic along the High Street and Links Place. Increasing the clearance underneath the rail bridges at the West end of the High Street could achieve this. Additional clearance would also allow double decker buses access to the railway station and any future ferry terminal.
c. Consideration be given to developing the onshore area of the East Dock – bear in mind that our legal advisors believe that Forth Ports may well have acted unlawfully in blocking public access. The area could be developed to improve existing activities – coastal freight, offshore servicing, ferrying, recreational sailing, excursions to the islands, whale watching etc. These activities could be complemented with other recreational and tourist facilities –
Recreational Vehicle (RV) park, heritage museum, sea bathing, floating restaurant, solar park, nature conservation, boat park, dive training etc and, of course, recreational walking and cycling.
d. The next phase of the Edinburgh tram network is to be a North/South line with the north terminal at Granton. A restored Burntisland all weather ferry slip would allow the revival of the historical Granton/Burntisland ferry service. Combined with the Active Transport routes already created, or proposed, for Burntisland, the station area could be developed as an Active Transport hub.