Fife Council has approved the business case for the delivery of a key active travel link in Levenmouth.

Members of the council's Cabinet Committee agreed to progress delivery of the Mountfleurie Active Travel Bridge through Network Rail and their contractor as part of the River Leven Regeneration Programme.

The new bridge, which is expected to cost around £5.8 million, will be a crucial part of the wider active travel network being developed across Levenmouth, and will maintain the route of the core path connecting Mountfleurie and Kirkland within Leven.

The cost will be met through £1.368m of Sustrans funding and £4.39m from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund, while minimal recurring costs of around £20,000 a year will be funded from Fife Council's Roads and Transportation Services' budgets.

Councillor Altany Craik, spokesperson for finance, economy and strategic planning, said: "The Leven Rail Link and associated programmes will bring over £150m of direct investment to the Levenmouth area which is a key regeneration focus of Fife Council.

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"This proposed active travel bridge at Mountfleurie provides a key link to connect the communities of Leven, and delivering it through Network Rail and their contractor is an efficient way to deliver key infrastructure which will improve access for the local community and visitors."

The associated planning application for the bridge was lodged in July and is due to be assessed for determination in early November.

In order to allow the bridge works to be completed to programme, Fife Council has to sign an Implementation Agreement which will allow Network Rail's contractor the necessary lead in time to order the fabrication of the bridge, construction of the significant earthwork embankments and complete the structure by the opening date of spring 2024.

Further reports will be presented to the Cabinet Committee in due course to consider the final business cases and delivery agreements for the On-Road Active Travel Network; Riverside Park, Glenrothes; and River Park Routes, Leven.

The River Leven Regeneration Programme is focussed on place-based regeneration projects with a view to improve connectivity, tourism, the natural asset and provide the first sections in connecting Leven with Loch Leven through an active travel route.

In terms of external funding for the River Leven Regeneration Programme, £25.18m is potentially available, comprising £19.4m from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund (LUF) and £5.772m from Sustrans' Places for Everyone Funding (PFEF). The Sustrans' award includes £1.368m for Mountfleurie Bridge.

The projects included within the LUF award are Leven Connectivity (Active Travel and River Park Routes) and Riverside Park, Glenrothes.