Fife pathways and parks closed

Leeza Clark, The Courier, 3 March 2001

Fife council is closing its rural parks and pathways and warning the public to stay away from the countryside in a bid to deter the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

Fife is currently free of suspected cases, but if a farm at Bo’ness is confirmed as carrying the disease, a section around the Culross area will have to be cordoned off.

Lochore Meadows Countryside Park, the coastal path from North Queensferry to Crail and the off-road sections of the Fife cycle network are now closed.

Signs banning entry are to be erected at the entrances to the parks and the public is warned that ignoring them is an offence which carries a fine of up to £5000.

The local authority, which is working closely with the NFU, is also distributing 5500 signs over the next few days banning people from using the many miles of footpaths and bridleways which cross farmland.

Parents are also being urged to ensure that their children avoid farmland areas, particularly as many are out sledging in the current snowy conditions.

There are also plans to reinforce the importance of the message to youngsters through the Kingdom’s schools.

Direct refuse uplifts from farms and surrounding properties are being suspended during the crisis and rural householders affected by this are being asked to take their wheelie bins to the nearest road to be emptied.

Fife Council has made this move as the number of cases of the disease continues to rise and the results of the latest suspected case at a farm just across the Forth at Bo’ness are to be announced.

If this case is confirmed, it will mean cordoning off a five-mile section around the Culross area which will lead to restricted access.

Council leader Christine May said the local authority had to support the farming community by taking every step necessary to stop the spread of the disease.

"It was unanimously agreed by the full council on Thursday that the council had to use every power at its disposal to ensure people keep off the countryside," she said.

"This is a dreadful, virulent disease with devastating consequences, not just for farmers and the rural economy, but everybody."

She added that the council appreciated the public’s disappointment at being unable to access Fife’s pathways and parks.

"But we urge everyone in Fife to work with us and support our farming communities to ensure that this epidemic does not spread to Fife or beyond," she said.

Clackmannanshire Council decided yesterday to close Gartmorn Dam Country Park, which lies just to the north of Alloa, from 7 pm last night, until the foot-and-mouth outbreak is contained.

Countryside Rangers yesterday stressed the importance of people heeding the warning signs and to stay away from the countryside until further notice.