Dunfermline Weekly 🐟 19 May 2024
Marine news, police dog trials, Mossmorran just transition, and more
🦪 Previously extinct flat oysters are being reintroduced to the Firth of Forth. There have been no verified finds of oysters in this part of Scotland since 1950s, but Heriot-Watt University with partners is now reintroducing a population of thirty thousand, with almost half already in the waters.
🐟 Fife Council has decided to join an association of local authorities dedicated to marine protection on a trial basis. UK’s branch of the organisation contains Scottish council areas so far, with more member authorities across Northern Europe.
🦚 Two peafowl chicks have hatched in Pittencrieff Park - with one unfortunately very weak and not surviving the first night. It remains to be determined whether the new arrival is a peacock or hen. Another peahen in the park is currently sitting on five eggs due to hatch as soon as this week.
🐕 National Police Dog Trials will be taking place this week, from Tuesday 21st to Thursday 23rd May at the Scottish police campus near Kincardine. The competition is open to the public and was last hosted by Police Scotland in 2015.
🚌 Fife College travel survey has highlighted major issues with bus provision in Fife - with an entire third of college students complaining of buses being often late, and a fifth complaining of overcrowding; there is also no direct connection between the college’s Dunfermline and Glenrothes campuses.
♻️ Work on plans for net zero transition for Mossmorran is due to start in January next year, and will reportedly take into account the controversial handling of Grangemouth refinery closure announced by Ineos.
🚃 ScotRail fares will stay on off-peak rates until September, rather than end of June now. This is a second extension of the off-peak fare trial which was originally scheduled to run from October 2023 to March 2024.
🏫 Dunfermline Learning Campus has two videos up on the Fife Council YouTube channel, one showcasing the new learning interior spaces, and a drone flyover of the campus.
🚧 Kincardine Bridge will be closed overnight on weekdays this week, with diversion through Clackmannanshire Bridge.
🚦 Bothwell Gardens roundabout (under the railway viaduct near Dunfermline train station) upgrade work is planned to start in June but there are no specific dates yet. This will involve resurfacing and traffic light installation.