VILLAGERS in Cardenden are still waiting for Fife Council to replace the inadequate Den Burn Bridge that contributed to a serious flood three years ago. 

Storms and torrential rain in August 2020 led to scenes of devastation, with "some folk losing everything" after several feet of water flowed into their homes.

A report found that not enough water was able to flow under the bridge on Cardenden Road - a “significant contributor” to the burn bursting its banks and leaving the village looking like a swamp - and progress on a replacement has been slow. 

Central Fife Times: Floodwater poured through Cardenden following the storms and torrential rain of August 2020.Floodwater poured through Cardenden following the storms and torrential rain of August 2020. (Image: Newsquest)

In January Fife Council missed out on levelling up cash to tackle flooding in Cardenden but local councillor Rosemary Liewald said they've now successfully secured £10.5 million to ensure construction can start in 2025-26.  

She said: “I have just heard from Fife Council that we presently have £2m for the construction of the bridge and have recently been successful in obtaining an additional £8.5m in capital funding for the delivery of the Cardenden flood mitigation scheme.” 

The next phases of the project will involve site investigations, land negotiations, and engagement with public utility providers. 

A spokesperson for the council said: “A brief is now being finalised for the design consultant to start detailed design work and is expected to be issued in the coming weeks.”

Cllr Liewald, who represents the Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty ward for the SNP, added: “I can assure you that the communities impacted by previous and recent flooding in the area will be delighted (by the progress)."

Central Fife Times: Some residents 'lost everything' in the serious floods that hit Cardenden in August 2020. Some residents 'lost everything' in the serious floods that hit Cardenden in August 2020. (Image: Newsquest)

 

In the immediate aftermath of the floods, Cllr Linda Erskine told the Times: "I was in one of the homes this afternoon and the damage is awful, nothing can be salvaged apart from a picture on the wall.

"Hopes and dreams and settled family life destroyed. It will take up to six months for the damage to be sorted and homes made liveable again."

Initially there were plans to strengthen, rather than replace, the bridge but they were scrapped in October 2020. At that time, local residents were told the work would start in 2024. 

One of the causes of flooding is the amount of rubbish that's dumped in our waterways with one public spirited dad, Andrew Dunlop, wading into the Den Burn and the River Ore and pulling a huge amount of garbage from the polluted water.