Ukrainian students visit NE Fife

The Newport on Tay Twinning Committee with Zolotarevo in the Western Ukraine has recently hosted a visit from Valentyn Denesyuk and Alexander Turjanytsya, two pupils from Zolotarevo Secondary School.

Both of the students were on a visit to Dundee and Newport to improve their English language skills. This follows a further visit to Zolotarevo by Catherine Rice and Marion Heredia, two English language teachers who were sponsored by the Twinning Committee.

Tay Bridgehead councillor Tim Brett said, ‘It was good to meet with Valentyn and Alexander and hear about their experiences over here. The Twinning Committee does valuable work in sustaining and maintaining the link with Zolotarevo, though naturally there have been real concerns about the situation in the Ukraine over the last few months.’

Fife LibDems take BEAR to task

A Liberal Democrat councillor has raised concerns about the lack of progress in dealing with repairs by BEAR who are responsible for maintenance of the A92 trunk route across Fife.  Councillor Tim Brett, member for Tay Bridgehead, said, ‘I reported to BEAR in the middle of March that a bollard was missing at the Hazelton Walls junction on the A92.   

‘While I appreciate that this is not a major repair it is a safety issue, yet, as of today’s date (25th August), the repair has still not been carried out. I have communicated with BEAR on several occasions and have also asked whether they have a system for checking that small repairs such as this are followed through and completed. I have been assured by BEAR that they do have such a system but it is patently clear that it is not functioning properly.’

Cllr Brett went on to explain that he had also had correspondence with BEAR about the state of the roundabout at the Fife end of the Tay Road Bridge. ‘Work on this was carried out during last winter but neither the local communities, myself nor fellow Tay Bridgehead member Councillor Maggie Taylor were at all happy with the quality of the work that was done. Again, meetings have been held but we are still waiting for a response from BEAR about action that can be taken to improve things.’

Cllr Brett stated that he had written again to BEAR formally complaining about both of these issues.

He concluded, ‘I am concerned that an organisation such as BEAR has no local accountability.  They are responsible for the maintenance of trunk roads in Scotland and therefore, I believe, report to Transport Scotland. I would like the Minister for Transport, Keith Brown, to take a closer interest in the quality of the work carried out by this and other organisations. The general public may assume that all road maintenance in Fife is undertaken by the Council’s Transportation Service but this is not the case for repairs to trunk roads.’

Hole in photo is where the missing bollard was - Cllr Brett pointing it out

Tim's Newport, Wormit & Forgan Community Council Report for August 2014

TIM BRETT’S REPORT

NEWPORT, WORMIT AND FORGAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, 11 AUGUST 2014

1.      Crossing at the Top of Station Brae – Following concerns raised by a local resident regarding the lack of a footpath on the east side of Station Brae, I wrote again to Mr Bob Blair of BEAR. Mr Blair advised that it had not been possible to put a footpath in on that side of the road due to the steep banking.  It has however been agreed that the vegetation should be cut back and this will improve visibility.  A request has also been made for an additional look both ways sign to be painted on the pavement.

2.      Pedestrian Barrier – The barrier at the bend at Riverside Road/St Fort Road in Wormit has been damaged.  This has been reported and I hope it will be repaired soon.

3.      Bus Changes – New timetables are being introduced with effect from the 18 August.  There will be some impact on local services and I can provide details to anyone who would like to see them.

4.      Local Community Plan – A special meeting of the North East Fife Area Committee is being held on 14 August to discuss the local community plan. 

5.      Newport War Memorial – It has been agreed that the War Memorial should be cleaned and discussions are taking place about the funding of this.

6.      Fife Community Works Programme – Councillors have been invited to suggest projects that might be included in the above programme.  The programme would include projects to improve local amenity but which need to be agreed at Area Committee level.  I can provide further information to any groups who might have a suitable project.

7.      Kinbrae Park Play Park – I hope that all of the funding for the new equipment in the play park has now been agreed.  This now needs to be signed off with the Fife Environment Trust and I then hope a contractor can be appointed.

8.      Waterstone Crook – Community Sports Day – I hope that the sports day on Saturday, 16 August will be well supported and that children of primary school age will get the opportunity of trying a number of different sporting activities.

9.      Boat Brae, Newport – Following concerns raised at the last Community Council meeting the Transportation Service have suggested an additional no right turn sign at the bottom of the High Street.

10.  Overhanging Bushes and Vegetation – I have reported a number of areas in Newport where bushes and vegetation are obstructing the pavement.  It would be helpful if all householders could check that vegetation from their properties is not obstructing the pavement.  Specific areas are being pursued by the Transportation Department.

11.  High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 – I have received a briefing on the way in which the above Act will be implemented in Fife and would be pleased to share this with anyone who was interested.

12.  Planning Review Bodies – I have received a note from one of the Council’s solicitors regarding the steps that the Community Council needs to take if it wishes to register as a “statutory consultee”.  The Community Council needs to state that it wishes to be consulted within seven working days of the Council sending them the weekly list and/or indicate that a development is likely to affect the amenity in the area of the Community Council.

13.  Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve – I have received a copy of the annual report for 2013. 

14.  Graffiti on the Scottish Water Cabinet – I am still pursuing with Scottish Water the removal of the graffiti on their cabinet on Tay Street.

15.  Proposed Waiting Restrictions - I would welcome the Community Council’s views on two proposals that I have received from the Transportation Department.  These are:-     a. Castle Brae opposite Westfield Terrace in Newport and

            b. Blyth Street/Kilnburn Junction also in Newport.

16.  Hospital at Home Programme – is now operating in North East Fife.

17.  Scottish Water Performance Summary – I have received a copy of the Scottish Water 2013/14 report.

18.  Tay Road Bridge Closures – Following a meeting with the new Bridge Manager, Alan Hutchison has advised that the VMS signs at St Fort and St Michaels will  show a red warning triangle when the bridge is closed.  The wording will be ”Bridge Closed” “and below that “Congestion”.  This will hopefully inform drivers that there is queuing traffic ahead and may allow local traffic to find alternative routes.

19.  Beach Road, Wormit – 20mph repeater signs have been erected following a request from a resident.

20.  Proposed Flat Top Hump – Stuart Goodfellow from Transportation will be attending the Community Council meeting to discuss the above proposal at the bottom of the High Street.

21.  Madras College – The detailed planning application is due to come to the North East Fife Planning Committee on 10 September.

22.  Newport Playgroup Closure – Following my report to the Community Council, the playgroup confirmed that they were closing at the end of June after 40 years operation.  I hope that other facilities in Wormit and Newport will be able to meet the demand for playgroup/nursery facilities.

23.  Local Development Plan – There will be a report coming to this week’s meeting of the North East Fife Area Committee regarding the Local Development Plan.  Following comments from Area Committees a report will go to the Fife Council Executive Committee on 9 September.

24.  Home Energy Efficiency Programme – I have received an update on the above programme for Scotland for 2014/15 and the details of this for Area based schemes in Fife.  I would be happy to forward this to anyone who is interested.

25.  Bay Road, Wormit Car Park – The area at the front of the car park has been re-surfaced.  I have received a request from a resident that bollards should be erected to prevent vehicles driving along the sea wall.