A PROTEST has been organised amid an ongoing feud about a fence blocking access to a Scottish harbour.
A fence was installed on Burntisland harbour for “public safety” reasons on the north side of the Firth of Forth after obtaining planning consent from Fife Council in 2022.
This led to an outcry from locals, including an online petition which gained over 3000 signatures.
The Burntisland Harbour Access Trust (BHAT) campaign group was then formed, who still continue to protest the fence and fight to restore public access to the harbour.
The group said that they have received legal advice that indicates that Forth Ports “acted illegally in barring the public from the harbour and breakwater” and that when presented with the lawyers report “had failed to address the issue”.
Now, BHAT has organised a protest march and rally in the town next weekend.
Spokesperson Sandra Maguire told The Courier: “Even now, people continue to gain access by any means possible.
“Recently fishermen have been taking their life in their hands by scaling a high fence set up by Forth Ports to deter access.
“This steel fence has been repeatedly opened up by the community who refuse to give up their right to access.
“In response, Fife Ports raised the height of the fence and erected a camera.”
A spokesperson for Forth Ports said: “The fence was installed around areas that were deemed high risk and ensures public safety within a working port.
“The measure still enables the people of Burntisland to safely walk through the port, avoiding these high risk areas.
“We continue to communicate with community representatives, local politicians, and other local stakeholders on matters relating to access at the Port of Burntisland.”
The protest leaves the Beacon Centre in Burntisland at 11am on August 10.
