A Fife road swept away by floods three years ago has finally reopened.
The road through Dura Den was rebuilt at a cost of £1.4 million after it was destroyed by flash floods in October 2012.
Council transport spokesman Pat Callaghan said: “Before any repair works could start we needed to carry out detailed ground investigations, environmental studies and option designs.”
The hamlet was devastated when the Ceres Burn burst its banks. After torrential rain, flooding caused retaining walls supporting the road to collapse.
Nobody was hurt, but some residents were trapped in their homes and the Coach House had to be demolished.
Earlier this year, contractors built extensive retaining walls to restore the road’s structural support.
Drainage has also been completed.
Some locals are concerned the area could be vulnerable to further flooding, but the council gave an assurance there would be no repeat of the 2012 flood.
Kemback, Pitscottie and Blebo Community Council chairwoman Alison Aiton said: “Everyone is delighted that the road has reopened. It will reunite the communities on either side.
“But there is concern that the river above the weir is still clogged with debris. The concern is that if this is not cleaned up it may happen again.”
The home of Louise Hughes suffered extensive damage. She said: “To say it would never happen again, I don’t think I could because they haven’t really addressed the issue fully.”
However, she praised the council and Glasgow-based contractors George Leslie for the restoration work.
Mike Thorpe, from the council’s structural services, said: “As a short-term measure, the weir was lowered and any collected debris removed.
“The low footbridge was also removed to prevent a reoccurrence of the type of blockage that occurred in October 2012.
“On this basis the unique set of circumstances that caused the damage cannot be repeated.
“The road is now open, with new retaining walls and improved resilience to flooding events. The watercourse is routinely inspected and, in the medium term, a flood study is planned to look at the wider aspects of this watercourse subject to budget funding.”