Rosyth container terminal plans split West Fifers
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 16 Sep 2011 08:00
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SOS Limekilns supporters with the proposed site in the background.
HOMES could collapse into the Forth if Babcock is given the go-ahead to build an international container terminal at Rosyth Dockyard.
That's the claim of a new body set up in neighbouring Limekilns where villagers have been fighting the plans since they first heard about them.
They have now formed an action group, SOS Limekilns, aimed at defending their quality of life from noise and light nuisance, traffic congestion and a long list of other negative impacts.
Locals remember the aftermath of dredging for the ill-fated RD57 Trident nuclear submarine site in the early '90s when gabions containing rocks had to be installed on the shore at Brucehaven to protect the homes there.
They fear even more damage caused by "beach draw-down" this time leading to coastal erosion and houses eventually disappearing into the river.
However, in Rosyth the plans have been welcomed warmly by the community council, with the promise of jobs and a boost to the local economy.
Babcock has said it is a "nationally significant project" which would turn Rosyth into a "thriving, dynamic port" and become an international gateway for businesses across Scotland and the UK.
The public inquiry process began yesterday (Wednesday) into a Harbour Revision Order (HRO) submitted for the RD57 site at the dockyard.
A pre-inquiry meeting was held at Rosyth Civil Service Club under Scotland's chief reporter, Lindsay Nicol, ahead of the full inquiry starting in November.
SOS Limekilns released a statement saying the proposal had been looked at over the last 18 months and was "fatally flawed".
The group claims the plans would "destroy the quality of life with constant noise and vibration plus light pollution at night", "threaten the viability of the DFDS ferry", "decrease use of the Fife Coastal Path and consequent income to the local economy" and "impact leisure sailing on the Forth".
Sue Hamilton, spokesperson for the group, said, "We want Babcock to reconsider before they waste too much money on this.
"Otherwise the public could end up subsidising unnecessary expensive dedicated infrastructure for an unviable project.
"If we knew this was the right and only thing to do in the national interest, we would be taking a different approach. However, the more we've learnt about this, the more we've realised this isn't in the national interest.
"We're calling on local people to support us in this fight for the facts to be given a proper hearing."
Mrs Hamilton added, "This is very much David and Goliath when you take on a company like Babcock but we feel it's something we have to do.
"We are accused of being 'NIMBYs' who are not interested in jobs but that's not the case.
"When there were jobs promised at RD57 through Trident we swallowed hard and thought about the national interest and jobs but this is different and we could be left with an expensive white elephant."
On jobs, the action group believes that "apart from the construction phase, the number of operational jobs created by the proposal is likely to be nearer 20 than the 200 or so claimed by Babcock because modern container terminals are almost fully-automated".
West Fife villages councillor Gerry McMullan is a long-term opponent of the plans.
He said, "This could cause a huge amount of damage to the coastline and I don't think most people are aware of that yet."
Rosyth Community Council chair Mike Shirkey said his group were firmly supportive of the proposals.
Labour MSP John Park said, "I still believe this is a sensible proposal by Babcock which will help secure the long-term future of Rosyth.
"I would always hope that future is based on work from the MoD but I'm realistic enough to know that companies have to diversify as they plan ahead.
"However, any plans have to be sensitive to local feelings and take on board these concerns.
"I have confidence that these matters will be dealt with through the independent planning process."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Tradesman
94 posts
Sep 16, 08:37
Report commentLimekilns residents display the dual traits which when combined are presented as reasoned opposition; these are the 'village mentality' and 'nimbyism.'
Neither of these traits on their own or combined deliver a reasoned base from which to oppose this much needed development in West Fife.
In the 1960s Dunfermline suffered from self interests, those of the shopkeeper cabal which run or held influence over Dunfermline District Council; protecting their own interests they blocked the entry of major retailers into the town; these retailers chose Kirkcaldy instead of Dunfermline.
Dunfermline is now recovering, inward investment in Dunfermline is clear for all to see, the last thing Dunfermline needs is the town to suffer a similar setback to that of the 1960s merely to please a very small minority.
Recommend?
Yes 43
No 3
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ShahHoorsur
31 posts
Sep 16, 10:33
Report commentAnother NIMBY group springs up, Limekilns SOS??????? What is all that about?
Pure scaremongering "houses will collapse into the Forth if this goes ahead", what a load of twaddle.
NIMBY's instead of spending your obvious unlimited spare time moaning and whining about non-issues, why not get behind this project for a change and support something valid which will create badly-needed local jobs.
Gerry McMullan, tick tock tick tock tick tock................
Recommend? Yes 37
No 2
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Chorthie
39 posts
Sep 16, 11:15
Report comment1. How will this possibly be bad for the local economy?
This will bring in trade, big businesses, global markets. It will encourage companies to set up in West Fife and on the south side of the river.
2. How will this effect Pleasure Sailing?
The extra trade will either have to be accommodated in Grang mouth or Rosyth, in Rosyth that means less ships travelling further in the river making it safer. More Ships will come to the forth, container trade in Europe and through out the world is rising steadily.
3. Fife Costal Path?
The site used for the container terminal is part of the current Dockyard site... so wont effect the path in any way at all.
4. Will Lighting flood our homes?
No, quite simply the new types of floodlights that will have to be installed will most likely be white light designed to not over pollute!
5. Only 20 jobs will be provided?
No it will be higher as it will not be fully automated. Its lower tech and will require drivers to drive the trucks and cranes around the yard. As is outlined in the plan.
Recommend? Yes 31
No 1
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Calimero
70 posts
Sep 16, 13:48
Report commentThere are all sorts of "stories" blowing around the village and a lot of them are a load of old tosh. My mums friend who lives in Limekilns said he was opposed to it because they will be re-opening the train lines from the village to Kincardine. Funny that... the only train lines even slightly close by stop at the Dockyard. This info was heard in the village and appears to spring from the minority of a handful of people who actually oppose it and are trying to goad the rest of the village to agree. What I dont understand is that its going to be almost one kilometer away from the village. How are they going to see these said lights... hang out their bedroom window by three feet or stand on the roof?
I know someone who actually walked out of this weeks meeting because it was such a farce. Lots of incorrect information and argurments, unsubstantiated complaints, people talking over each other and it was getting nowhere. Just think of the jobs and the money it will bring to local businesses in the area. SOS Limekilns dont stand a chance because a lot of the residents heads dont button up the back!
Recommend? Yes 32
No 1
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RosRes
14 posts
Sep 16, 16:27
Report commentI wonder which one is NotHappyJan or whatever she called herself?
- I'm surprised she hasn't been here yet, with her usual vitriolic comments at all those who don't have the "luxury" of residing in Limekilns - oh that's right, you have to register now don't you ;)
Recommend? Yes 31
No 2
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LimekilnsGoliathFan
4 posts
Sep 17, 10:02
Report commentDamage to the coast? - rubbish. Noise and light polution? - crap. Fully automated container terminals with no jobs - fantasy. View from Goliath crane to Limekilns - absolutley superb. If Babcock start selling tickets Goliath could be as popular as the London Eye...
Recommend? Yes 22
No 1
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LimekilnsGoliathFan
4 posts
Sep 17, 12:20
Report commentBy the way I hope all of the intelligentsia in the picture scooped all the poops their dugs left....wouldn't want any more pollution on the foreshore
Recommend? Yes 23
No 0
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Sep 19, 04:22
Report commentOh Dear RosRes, I registered a long time ago, no fear here to provide the required information. Obviously you have nothing of merit to add to the debate other than to espouse your hatred of me. Thats ok, I understand.
I no longer have an opinion on Limekilns, I no longer live there, I sold up ages ago dear because I knew this would be the result. Better to leave than stay in a place that is on the way down. It was very easy in the end and I am very happy where I am thank you.
Its obvious that the Container terminal must proceed, the naffs at Rosyth need the work, have you seen the state of Rosyth recently? It looks like some 3rd world slum. The Container Port will inject some badly needed cash into the area, its no longer the garden city that is for sure.
Still, if you pop in to the Cafe Palace, you can catch up on all the local goss and perhaps get a decent cuppu and nice bit of cake.
Speak soon.
Recommend? Yes 8
No 21
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BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Sep 19, 21:36
Report comment -
NotHappyJan
192 posts
Sep 19, 22:20
Report commentBTB, yes, it was time to abandon Limekils, it has seriously gone downhill and its going to get worse. I was accused of being a nimby a few times but was never as bad as the idiots this story relates too, they have no idea and are proving to the world that without me...... there is just no brains in Limekilns!!!
Recommend? Yes 7
No 3
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BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Sep 20, 19:41
Report commentYou're blissfully unaware then that the infrastructure for the aircraft carriers is being built by Chinese labour, and has been for months. What makes you think that a container terminal would be built by local labour?
Recommend? Yes 3
No 3
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Blackadder
258 posts
Sep 20, 22:06
Report commentIgnorance, Bob, sheer ignorance. It's nappyjan's defining trait.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 3
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Sep 20, 22:16
Report commentBTB, we live in a vibrant multicultural society made up of many different nationalities. If the Chinese happen to be expert at these sort of things making "local" labour redundant then its up to them and the rest of society to fight to make sure these jobs go to "locals"! The probable fact is the "locals" are eithier too lazy or too thick or both to able to do the work required.
I have no issue with whoever is building the infrastructure...none at all. I could not care less who builds the infrastructure for the Container Terminal either. If governement is happy to let these jobs be done by our multicultural friends and let the local economy nosedive and the local area degenerate, who am I to argue.
I am all right Jack and surley, that is all that matters!
Recommend? Yes 4
No 3
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NotHappyJan
192 posts
Sep 20, 22:20
Report commentBlackadder, you insight and brilliance never fail to impress me. I bow to thee oh great one!
Recommend? Yes 5
No 4
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BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Sep 20, 22:27
Report commentI know we live in a multicultural society - I'm just referring to your point about, and I quote, "the naffs at Rosyth need the work." I'm not convinced the locals had any say in Babcock's decision to bring 50-odd workers from the other side of the planet, house them and still, presumably, make a profit.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 2
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rightorwrong
4 posts
Sep 20, 22:35
Report commentHere's one for you...If Grangemouth container port is working at 30% of it's capability, only has 30 full time staff, and is linked by motorways to all large cities in central Scotland, why do we need another one in Rosyth? Where will all the 200 jobs be? Will we share this 30% of the work with Grangemouth? Do we really NEED this container terminal?
Recommend? Yes 4
No 7
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hazelkaye
316 posts
Sep 21, 17:10
Report commentNo mention of the current, woefully underused railfreight link RIGHT INTO ROSYTH DOCKYARD and its possible future linking up with the now extant and busy Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line! It lay dormant for many-a long year! Too many, in fact!
Recommend? Yes 3
No 0
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