A NEW £100,000 playpark in Inverkeithing will soon be the talk of the town.

The Top of the Town (Park Initiative) is nearing completion but youngsters have been told its not safe for use yet.

A health and safety inspection is still required for the project on Manse Road which has been funded by Fife Council, Fife Environment Trust and community fundraisers. The council are hopeful the independent assessment will be carried out in early August.

Clair Lovett, parks development officer, commented: “We’re all looking forward to opening the Top of the Town park for the enjoyment of local children.

“At the moment there are a few bits of work still to be completed and the park then has to be independently assessed by RosPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) before it can be used.

“We’re aiming to make sure that happens early next month so that children can begin to play in their new park as soon as possible.”

Lisa Hemphill, from the initiative, commented: “The park is unsafe to use until this inspection has been carried out.

“Please do not encourage people to use the park as the turf that has been laid needs a couple of weeks to settle and some of it is already damaged and needs to be replaced.”

The South West Fife area committee provided £50,000 to the project to “improve health through sport and leisure”, with the same sum also donated by Fife Environment Trust. An additional £2,500 was pledged from the local community to comply with the required guidelines.

The Press reported last September that locals were facing the prospect of losing the green space as Kingdom Housing Association wanted to build 16 houses at Whinnyhill, next to the site, but their proposals were knocked back by Fife Council.

An appeal was unsuccessful, with the Scottish Government reporter stating that development would result in the loss of a well-used open space.