THE future of Kincardine’s waterfront looks bright as the ‘Kincardine Triangle’ takes shape in the wake of Longannet Power Station’s closure.

Around 200 villagers helped form an action plan with architects and planners after a four-day £40,000 GoForth Kincardine Charrette.

It includes proposals to downgrade the trunk road status of the Northern Approach Road and the realignment of the main junction with the A977, which locals describe as a “nightmare”.

The plan also suggests a “quick win” by creating a three-mile ‘Kincardine Triangle’ riverside walkway loop between the northern ends of the Kincardine and Clackmannan bridges with improved access across the former power station railway line. There are also proposals to remove buses from the village centre.

With the backing of the Scottish Government and Fife Council, the Charrette was organised by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

The Action Plan states: “Kincardine’s waterfront is a fantastic opportunity for significant positive change. It can be a destination, as well as a route linking other places, with attractions of its own including its archaeology, nature and boat activity and its great views of the bridges and the Forth valley.”

Devilla Forrest has also been dubbed as Kincardine’s secret attraction as the town looks to attract visitors.

Bob Young, Scottish trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “We are really pleased with the outcomes of the Go Forth Kincardine Charrette, which could give Kincardine a much brighter and more secure future.

“At the moment, it tends to be just a place people pass through but the Charrette has identified real possibilities for it to become a destination in its own right.”

Nicky Wilson, fellow trustee, said: “We shouldn’t forget that apart from the power station closure, Longannet was the last deep mine in Scotland to close.

“It is really fitting that the CRT with its commitment to supporting mining communities has been able to help Kincardine residents come up with such positive plans for their future.”

Oliver Chapman, architect, who led the expert team, added: “We have taken the most viable and exciting ideas Kincardine residents came up with and presented them as action plans complete with estimates of costs which vary from a few hundred pounds for landscaping to several million pounds for major infrastructure changes.”

Janice McLauchlin, a local resident, added: “I now feel more excited for the village than at any time in the last 30-odd years I have lived here. The report has highlighted loads of opportunities and created a real buzz about the place.”