Dunfermline "City Centre Disgrace"

12.00.00am GMT Tue 6th Dec 2005

A Dunfermline campaigner has slammed Fife Council for 20 years of neglect and missed opportunities in the City Centre. Willie Rennie, Lib Dem Holyrood Spokesman for Dunfermline West, took the Labour Council to task for twenty years of failure.

"They have stood by while Dunfermline deteriorates. They simply don't care." he said.

Many Dunfermline residents have been campaigning for years to save the City Centre. Mr. Rennie lambasted the lack of initiative and action by Fife's political leaders. "Twenty five years ago there was a successful and vibrant City Centre".

Willie Rennie and the Lib Dem councillors for Dunfermline have been actively working on solutions for the regeneration of the City Centre. Their calls have fallen on deaf ears according to Willie.

"Places like Perth, Stirling and Falkirk have managed to reverse the decline. But Labour have missed opportunity after opportunity despite pleadings from the local community" he said.

Mr. Rennie added:

"The Labour Council seem to think it is someone else's problem. Liberal Democrats have twice asked the Council to compulsorily purchase the old Co-o site. Each time the Labour Administration refused and did nothing."

Willie Rennie called for strong leadership for the City. "This is a great City with a proud history and a growing population. It is time we had a City Centre to match."