The Lyne Burn

January 18, 2020

The Story So Far
The Lyne Burn is a river which rises to the north east of Dunfermline and travels south west, eventually joining the Firth of Forth.

The Lyne Burn Green Network refers to our vision of improving and connecting the three areas of greenspace at Rex Park, Lyne Burn Park and Touch in central Dunfermline to create a green corridor for people to use for recreation, active travel and play.

Dunfermline itself is steeped in history. Dunfermline Abbey is the burial place of many of Scotland’s kings and queens including King Robert the Bruce.

The three areas are home to history and heritage themselves. At the top of Lyne Burn Park you pass by groups of trees planted in squares – these are the Woodmill bleachfields where historically linen would have been bleached and left to dry. Mining is also a part of the town’s history, with part of Lyne Burn Park having once been a limestone quarry. The surrounding area includes Garvock Hill, where a single forest once provided timber enough to rebuild the whole of Dunfermline when the town was lost to fire.

 

Project Aims
The Lyne Burn Green Network project will involve:

  • Restoring a 453m length of artificially straightened channel of the Lyne Burn to a more natural condition.
  • Improving the quality of greenspaces by planting trees, orchards, wildflower areas and hedgerows with the community.
  • Creating a community growing space.
  • Installing natural play areas.
  • Engaging local school children and community groups in activities and practical conservation initiatives.

So far, a cycle path has been created, following the Lyne Burn and allowing for safe and green travel along the riverside.

 

River Restoration
The first step starting in May 2021 will be restoration of the burn which runs through Rex Park. This work is funded by SEPA’s Water Environment Fund and helps meet obligations under the Water Framework Directive.

The straightened channel will be restored to natural meanders, thereby improving climate resilience and providing better habitat for wildlife including fish, birds and mammals such as otters and bats.

 

Green Infrastructure
Following on from the river restoration, landscaping works will be undertaken to improve the green corridor.

We will be planting trees, orchards and creating wildflower meadows to improve the quality of the greenspace for people as well as wildlife. These new, attractive spaces will provide important habitat for pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Our pollinators are in serious national and international decline. Creating new habitat for these insects is a key aim of the Fife Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). By creating habitat we are not only making a difference locally along the Lyne Burn Green Network, but also contributing to regional, national and international conservation efforts for our wildlife.

 

Community Engagement
Whilst a key aim of this project is improving and connecting the greenspace across Rex Park, Lyne Burn Park and Touch, we are also looking to connect the communities around them.

Through a series of events, workshops and community meetings we want to ensure that this project is a collaboration – where community vision is brought to life.

We will be working with local community groups and schools through activities such as tree planting so that not only do the community have a say in the plans for the area, but so that they can leave a local living legacy.

If you are a community group or organisation local to us and would like to work with us, get in touch!