A WEST Fife pensioner is “sick of the sneers” she gets about Inverkeithing – and says Fife Council needs to “get their finger out” and “spend some money” improving the town.

Moira Marshall (68), chair of the Spittalfield Tenants and Residents Association, admitted there were “lots of problems” with Inverkeithing but that the town would continue to decline if nothing was done.

However, she underlined that it was a “great place to live, it just needs a lot of work done”.

She said, “I am sick of the sneers when I say I’m from Inverkeithing.

“I am proud to be from here – it’s my home and I’ve lived here all my life but there’s problems in this area that need sorting.

“Turning this place around won’t be easy, we know that, but we’re up for it.” Moira feels the biggest problem is drugs but is also concerned about the lack of play areas.

She told the Press, “I know there are drugs in Spittalfield – you would never get that before. I’ve never seen it personally but I know it exists because there have been needles found in the park at Waggon Road.

“We have three parks, Ballast Bank, Spittalfield and another at Waggon Road and we get kids playing in the road with their bikes and scooters.

“There is nothing in the parks. There were swings at Spittalfield but they were taken away because they were unsafe and there’s no incentive for kids to go to the playpark.” Moira, who was born and brought up in Inverkeithing, feels there is a housing shortage and lack of quality housing and wants to see the former Caldwell Paper Mill site developed.

“I can’t see the houses in Spittalfield coming down but those that are owned by the council, and some private landlords, are needing done as well.

“The windows and doors need fixing, there’s dampness and they’re not really adequate for the way we live now – a lot of the kitchens in the flats are tiny.

“There’s definitely not enough housing but I draw the line at Taylor Wimpey building on Spencerfield!” As for the High Street, Moira remembers when there were “five butchers, five grocers, two fishmongers and two shoe shops”.

She added, “Everyone says the floral enhancement scheme has done a great job. But we don’t have a decent supermarket, now it’s all hairdressers, charity shops and pubs, that’s it.

“People haven’t supported the local shops in the past and I don’t know what the solution is to that.

“I think what we need is a big supermarket or more small, different shops.” Moira urged Fife Council to “hurry up” with Inverkeithing’s regeneration, which has been focused on demolishing and redeveloping Fraser Avenue.

She said, “Inverkeithing’s a lovely place to live but it’s got a bad name, not through its own fault.

“Fife Council need to get their finger out and spend some money on Inverkeithing so people want to come back here, or come here. We’re in a beautiful part of the country, have great commuting links and there are so many places you can go.” A progress report on Inverkeithing’s regeneration was to go before the South West Fife area committee yesterday (Wednesday).

Key points included the completion of the masterplan for the redevelopment of Fraser Avenue, with masterplanning workshops starting September/October.

A 636-name petition, calling for the provision of a grocery/off-licence store in the redeveloped street, was also considered by councillors.