Safety must take top priority as a major consultation to determine the future redevelopment of Kirkcaldy’s sea wall gets under way, a councillor has insisted.
Stuart MacPhail, representative for Kirkcaldy Central, made the call as members of the public are approached to offer input into the proposed £9 million project.
It comes almost a year after the tragic death of three-year-old Eryk Cieraszewski, who was swept out to sea by a wave after sitting on the sea wall.
Plans to upgrade the wall, which was built in the 1920s, have been under consideration for some time. With work scheduled to start next summer, Mr MacPhail has urged planners to ensure the safety of those who use the promenade is given top priority.
He said: ”As far as I am concerned, safety has to be the ultimate consideration. Appearance will be important but the safety of people has to be paramount.
”We have to be certain that, when the wall is finished, it is as safe as possible. You cannot be 100% certain but that has to be the goal.
”It will have to look attractive to visitors, residents and businesses and redevelopment is long overdue. We have to create an environment where businesses want to locate on the front.”
The new wall is expected to be half a metre higher than the current barrier and plans also propose better access to the beach and raised viewing platforms.
Work is scheduled to start next summer and be completed by autumn 2014.
The public consultation is taking place on Fife Council’s website as well as at a public meeting, scheduled to take place at the Adam Smith Theatre on November 21.
A planning application for the proposals is expected to be submitted for approval early next year.
Kirkcaldy area committee chairman Neil Crooks said measures to ensure public safety had been taken.
”Fife Council is investing £9 million in a new sea wall for Kirkcaldy and the results will be around for another 100 years, so it’s important that we make sure local people are happy with the plans,” he said.
”We are raising the height of the wall. We want to encourage people to the beach and the Esplanade. This consultation is about finding out what people want from the Esplanade.”
Kirkcaldy Civic Society will meet next week to discuss the consultation further but chairman Mary Hall said much could be done to lift the area.
”It’s very important as part of the town’s history,” she said. ”I know that it is something that we have to watch as it is quite damaged in some places.
”There’s nothing to attract visitors and keep them in the town so it would be good to have that addressed.”