The progress in finding a long term solution for the area covered by the abandoned Prestonhill Quarry in Inverkeithing is far too slow and needs a fresh look and review of all the options the local MSP Alex Rowley has said this week.
In a letter to Fife Council Chief Executive Steve Grimmond Mr Rowley says; “Whilst I would acknowledge the efforts made by the Council in taking security measures to try and keep people away from the most dangerous parts of the quarry we need a sustainable solution and serious plans for the development of this area.
He continued; “I would therefore be grateful if you can advise what progress has been made in trying to establish who owns and is responsible for the site. It has been suggested to me it may be in an offshore account somewhere and if this is so surely there are legal powers available to the council to move this forward and to see what interest there may be in developing this area on the shores of the Forth.
“I believe that the council must be more proactive in establishing the ownership and options for taking responsibility for the site and in exploring the potential development opportunities for this area”.
The letter comes as the Cowdenbeath MSP has secured a debate in the Scottish Parliament to highlight the dangers of open waters and the work of Fife Water Safety initiative, which is touring Fife secondary schools providing a presentation on such dangers and is supported by the mother of Cameron Lancaster who died in August 2014 in an accident at the quarry.
The MSP said; “Death by drowning is the third highest accidental cause of death in the UK and per head of population, there are twice as many accidental drownings in Scotland as in England. The work in Fife schools to raise awareness of the dangers is very good and I am keen to support this but I also think we need to do our best to remove potential dangers where possible and to restrict access to sites that have many dangers in them”.
End photo shows Alex Rowley at Prestonhill Quarry
