Kirkcaldy went back to the future at the official opening of the town’s new £9 million promenade.
Hundreds of residents braved chilly conditions for an afternoon of festivities that welcomed the reinstatement of the one of the town’s most famous landmarks.
The iconic walkway was packed with residents and visitors eager to take their first steps on the regenerated stretch.
Photo gallery: New £9 million Kirkcaldy Prom opened
In terms of steps, the new prom would also appear to be the first investment in a wider rebirth of Kirkcaldy.
Unveiling the refurbished plaque that marked the opening of the old prom, Councillor Neil Crooks said: “We need to link the High Street and the waterfront and there is already talk of removing the dual carriageway and creating a shared space.
“There’s a feasibility study being launched to look into that but it is a concept that could work.
“Around 500,000 people use the Fife Coastal Path every year. If we can get them into the High Street then we really are on to a winner.”
Although aesthetically more pleasing that its predecessor, the new promenade is also significantly safer following the tragic death of three-year-old Eryk Cierszewski. The tot was swept out to sea by a freak wave in November 2011, dragged through a slipway in the wall during a storm.
The new barrier is notably higher than the existing defence, while strategically-placed blocks have been situated before the seawall to dissipate the force of the waves.
New shelters, seating areas and street lighting have also been installed.
Though scheduled for completion in the autumn, unpredictable conditions at the waterfront caused delays in construction. However, the huge project has been delivered within budget.
Former MSP Christine May, one of the organisers of Sunday’s festivities, said regenerating the town centre would take time but that the support is in place.
“There is the will to do something,” she said. “Fife Council wants visitors to move from the waterfront into the town and for residents to look from the town to the waterfront.
“We have support from the Business Improvement District (Bid) and we owe it to them to do what we can and enhance the town centre.”