SEPA and Fife Council have started a project to assess if it is feasible to undertake river restoration in Rosyth, supported by FCCT. Rosyth is home to a network of freshwater habitats, in particular the Whinny and Brankholm burns which flow into Rosyth from the north and west, and out to Inverkeithing Bay. These habitats face multiple challenges due to development, which have seen the burns artificially straightened and culverted in several areas. In addition, rubbish has accumulated throughout the burns, and invasive plant species have spread. The result of these pressures is declining habitat for freshwater species such as trout, salmon, kingfisher, herons and more, and a poor environment for local residents to enjoy. Flooding is increasingly affecting Rosyth as climate change impacts develop, and these modifications along the burns exacerbate this issue.
This project aims to restore the rivers in Rosyth by re-meandering them and improving freshwater habitat, to support biodiversity, community wellbeing and increase climate resilience. We want to deliver significant ecological improvements by expanding and enhancing the natural habitat of the Whinny and Brankholm Burns.
Why Rosyth?
The rivers in Rosyth have been significantly altered historically, straightened and disconnected from their natural wetlands and floodplains. The river channels are not supporting wildlife, the channel capacity is reduced and they are not adding to the aesthetic of the greenspaces that they run through in Rosyth. This has made them eligible for the Water Environment Fund, (WEF), administered by SEPA for the Scottish Government.
We have also heard from Rosyth’s residents and community groups that river restoration is a particular priority, especially in this capacity to help with climate resilience by reducing flooding impacts. We know Rosyth’s residents have been heavily affected by flooding, and we hope that this habitat improvement work can have some co-benefits for climate resilience.
What we aim to deliver?
In the first instance, the core aim of this project is to assess feasibility for the Whinny and Brankholm burns to be restored to more natural conditions. However, if this project progresses past feasibility, it will have longer term aims including:
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Create a nature-based multi-use space for the community and connect the river to the wider environment.
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Deliver significant ecological improvements and improve ecological resilience to low flow conditions.
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Improve the catchment’s resilience to climate change.
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Improve the green network by creating and enhancing community green space, path and travel networks and visual amenity.
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Encourage regeneration to promote Rosyth as a great place to live and visit.
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Improve mental and physical health and wellbeing benefits for the local community.
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Enable Rosyth’s residents to learn more about their local environment and feel connected to it, through being involved in its restoration.
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Biodiversity co-benefits for neighbouring habitats including woodland areas.
Who is involved?
The project will be led by Fife Council in partnership with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT), with the support of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). We will also work with Scottish Water and other partner organisations and community groups to share data, knowledge and expertise to align priorities for Rosyth. As this project is in feasibility stage, it may be several years before any works progress.
Timeline
The WEF awards funds to local authorities to develop and lead these projects, which are often large-scale and complex projects and run for 5 years from technical feasibility through design to construction and completion. At this stage, we are only committed to running the feasibility study over the next 12 months, to the end of 2025. The next steps will depend on the outcome of the feasibility study and the recommendations for how the rivers can be improved.
How can you become involved?
We really want to hear from the local community about how they would like to see the project develop. FCCT will be hosting community events regarding the project as it progresses, so keep an eye on our events page or sign up to our newsletter to stay informed. If you would like to contact the project manager directly please email Maddie at madeleine.deacon@fifecountryside.co.uk
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