Joy in Letham as Fife Council looks set to adopt School Brae
A community that has been demanding Fife Council adopt one of its streets for years appears at last to have got its way.
- By Cheryl Peebles
- Published in the Courier : 31.01.11
- Published online : 31.01.11 @ 02.16pm
Despite School Brae in Letham leading to the local primary school, the road has remained private and the authority has consistently refused to take full responsibility for it.
However, planning permission has been granted for construction of a new house in the street and the applicants intend to provide land for the creation of a turning area.
Before consent was granted by the north-east Fife area committee, the council's transport service agreed that if a turning area was made at the top of School Brae it would be able to adopt the road.
The road, which has around 20 houses on it and gives access to farm cottages beyond, became unadopted following local government reorganisation in 1975.
Chairman of the local community council, Dave Hamilton, said, "It's beginning to degrade and there's an ongoing problem with a culvert which floods. When the snow comes it is a nightmare.
"Last winter it was totally snowbound and there was no prospect of emergency vehicles getting to the school or the houses if anything happened."
Mr Hamilton said there were concerns that granting planning permission would set a precedent for further development, but a survey found the majority of residents were in favour.
Big difference
He said, "This will make a big difference for people in School Brae and the school. It's great we have got to this position. The local authority is the right place for that road to be for it to be looked after."
School Brae resident Lance Thompson, who last year complained unsuccessfully to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman about lack of winter maintenance by the local authority, said he was over the moon at the outcome of the planning application.
He said, "Last winter we were left completely on our own without any attempt to clear the brae. We have neighbours who are in their 70s and they could have needed an ambulance to get to hospital.
"Now that the go-ahead has been given for building this additional property I hope to see an almost immediate change in status of the road."
Planning officers recommended permission be declined for the house, next to the school, as the site is outwith the village boundary and construction would have gone against council policy.
However, councillors voted against the recommendation and also asked for a legal agreement relating to woodland north of the site to be gifted to the community.
Committee chairman and Howe of Fife and Tay Coast councillor Andrew Arbuckle said, "At my first community council meeting as a councillor in 1986 the first issue raised with me was the adoption of School Brae.
"It is an issue that has continued all the time I have been a councillor. Here at last is a solution. The majority of local residents are happy with the trade off."
Fellow ward councillor Donald Lothian said, "There's an opportunity here and I think it's reasonable to take it."
11.15am - 01.02.2011 Dog lover - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Bit sadden to see that these horse riders are not wearing any HiViz gear. Even in good daylight all riders and cyclists shoudl wear HiViz. It could save your life.
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