NEARLY £1 million has been spent on improvements around Dunfermline city centre since 2017.

The area has undergone significant work and Councillor Helen Law has been delighted with the transformation.

“This significant investment in the city centre has improved both the look and safety of the area both for locals and visitors,” the City of Dunfermline area Committee convenor said.

“High streets in general are struggling to draw people in, so it’s important that we continue to make the area an attractive destination.”

Pathways in and around the bus station have been upgraded along with the streetscape of Bruce Street, Monastery Street, Buchanan Street and Abbot Street/Maygate.

A crossing to the east of Inglis Street has been provided as well as street lighting on Carnegie Drive.

An update of the improvements was given to members of the City of Dunfermline area committee on Tuesday.

While many improvements have been made, some are still to be carried out and a report to councillors from lead consultant Susan Keenlyside revealed that there was likely to be a projected underspend of £189,000 from the planned £1,151,000 cost.

This is set to discussed at ward meetings early next year when additional projects which could receive funds will be suggested.

Work still to be carried out includes the path between Bruce Street and the bus station, as well as a revamp of the Leys Park Road car park.

After a further £200,000 has been allocated from roads and transportation services, a detailed design – which includes the provision of a sustainable drainage solution – is nearing completion and an upgrade of the whole car park is like to be finished by early summer next year.

Once the work has been done, there should be a well lit, fully surfaced facility which will provide a link to the city centre by clearly signed walking routes for visitors, shoppers and workers.

Proposals to create a shared use path at Nethertown Broad Street have been delayed after SUSTRANS updated their design requirements.

Ms Keelyside explained: “An operational assessment will be undertaken on the proposed shared use path and revised traffic lanes to ensure the route is appropriate for pedestrians, cyclists, bus and vehicle movements.

“If this additional assessment work shows the proposed route to operate satisfactorily then this shared use path would form a key link within the cycle network of the town, a missing link to the centre from the south and an ideal route to the new cycle hub.”

A total of £651,000 of the investment for the improvements came cash from section 75 planning obligations where developers are obliged to contribute money to mitigate impacts that their developments have on the road network.

The remaining funds came from Fife Council’s Capital Investment Plan.