Additional funding to help carry out a number of improvements in Kirkcaldy, Fife, has been approved.

The funds will come from the Kirkcaldy Town Centre Development Fund.

Earlier this week, the Kirkcaldy Area Committee agreed to set aside £350,000 for Phase 3 of the Kirkcaldy High Street Public Realm project. It is understood the committee will also ask Fife Council's Executive Committee for the remaining £400,000 needed.

The latest phase of works for the town will include:

• Continuation of the granite pavements

• Continuation of resurfacing the road

• Better parking spaces

• Improved bus stops and a bus shelter

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• Landscaping, benches and bins

• A mosaic of Kirkcaldy's town crest at the triangular island at the Nicol Street junction.

Other planned town centre improvements include redesigning the north end of Kirkcaldy Town Square and decorative winter lighting in Memorial Gardens.

Councillor Neil Crooks, Chair of the Kirkcaldy Area Committee, said: "Kirkcaldy Town Square and the Memorial Gardens is a key feature of the Cultural and Heritage Quarter identified in the Time For Action Plan.

"The square plays host to the Farmers' Market every month and is increasingly being recognised as a venue for events.

"These next set of improvements will be a welcome addition to further progress the Town Square and Memorial Gardens, offering good quality public spaces in the town centre."

He added: "We're beginning to see the benefits of Kirkcaldy's Town Centre Development Fund of £1m in the area. Work has now started on the first project which was awarded funding earlier this year.

"The £175,000 facelift to the level of the Esplanade multi storey car park that provides direct access to the Mercat Shopping Centre will include lighting improvements, bright coloured surfacing, wider parking bays and improved signage."

(JP/IT)