Lundin Links Hotel: Lorry strikes village pub as drivers ignore diversions

A village pub has been struck by a lorry as drivers ignore diversions set up in the wake of the Lundin Links Hotel fire.

The 26-tonne vehicle damaged the Railway Inn in Lower Largo as it tried to negotiate a tight bend onto a narrow bridge.

And the Station Wynd pub has lost part of a window sill and been left with cracks in a chimney.

The truck was one of scores of vehicles driving past diversion signs, despite police warnings they could be prosecuted if they flout advice.

And villagers fear a serious accident if nothing is done.

So far this week they have seen an articulated lorry full of sheep, a fuel tanker and a static caravan being towed on a trailer make their way along the normally quite roads.

Labour councillor Colin Davidson said: “It’s carnage and it’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

Fears of weeks of disruption

Part of Main Street has been closed completely since the derelict Lundin Links Hotel was practically destroyed in last week’s blaze.

What’s left of the structure is in danger of collapse and people have been warned to avoid the area.

But the road forms part of the main route between the East Neuk and the south of Fife.

And while locals are using side streets to get past the site, they are not built for heavy traffic.

The diversions were set up to avoid congestion and police are monitoring the issue as best they can.

However, with no demolition date yet announced it is feared there will be weeks of disruption.

This has prompted a call for a public meeting in a bid to speed up the process.

Demand for swift action

Mr Davidson, convener of Fife Council’s Levenmouth area committee, wants action as soon as possible.

“We’ve had a 26-tonne lorry going over an 18-tonne bridge, lorries hitting buildings, kids being put at risk,” he said.

“The police are being very supportive but they can’t be there 24 hours a day.

“I’m not sure the insurance company involved understands the magnitude of the situation.

“We need to have a public meeting to get this into the spotlight.”

The meeting will likely take place at the start of next week. A date and venue will be announced soon.

Police say they fully support any opportunity to address the matter.

Inspector Matt Spencer of Levenmouth Police Station said: “We are aware of ongoing issues surrounding the recent diversions put in place as a result of the fire.

“We are continuing to work with a range of partners to address these issues and make any possible improvements for drivers and the local community.”

Public safety is ‘first priority’

Meanwhile, Fife Council has urged patience.

Ken Gourlay, executive director of enterprise and environment, described the disruption as considerable.

And he added: “We’d like to reassure people we are working hard to get things back to normal as soon as possible.

“The safety of the public has to be our first priority and traffic diversions will continue until it’s safe to remove them.

“In the meantime, we would ask for people’s patience and to follow the diversion routes that are in place until the hotel can be made safe.”

Kapital Residential, which owned the C-listed Lundin Links Hotel, went into liquidation in July.

Fife Council served a dangerous buildings notice on Monday after judging the hotel to be structurally unstable.

Normally listed buildings can only be demolished following consultation with Historic Environment Scotland.

But the body said work to remove the danger can take place without a consultation.