£90K funding for Saline pathway project

Saline Environmental Group is to receive £90,000 funding from a total of almost £5m granted across Scotland through the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces Scotland scheme.

The grant will be used to construct a pathway between the west Fife village of Saline and Kinneddar Park, along with a bridge and fitness equipment en route. The aim is to encourage local people to have a greater interest in their environment.

The project represents the first phase of a larger initiative to link four individual communities by providing easily accessible pathways that can be used for access and recreational purposes such as walking, cycling, horse riding and mobility vehicles.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker, whose constituency includes Saline, said: “This significant amount of Big Lottery funding is excellent news for the people of Saline. Congratulations to Donald Murdoch of the Saline Environmental Group for his efforts in securing it, and best wishes to the Group in getting the best out of this generous grant.

“I have known the Saline area ever since I was elected as a local ward councillor on Fife Council. There are many community and environmentally minded people in the area, and it would be good to see even more joining in to really make a success of this pathway project. This pedestrian route has been long wanted and campaigned for by committed people. I look forward to walking it and taking some much needed exercise along the way!”

David Chisholm, Vice Chair of Saline Environmental Group, said: “The Big Lottery Fund Scotland contribution means a start can be made on a path that will meet our community priorities of facilitating access to services in Oakley and allowing people of all abilities to get to attractive countryside. Importantly, the award acknowledges the value of community consultation and will give other groups the confidence to take forward their own projects.”

Community Spaces Scotland is part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Investing in Communities portfolio. It supports communities to become more involved in their local environment, improve and make better use of spaces and places, and becomes healthier and more active.