COWDENBEATH Town Centre will see a remarkable transformation over 2018 with over £1 million of work to improve the High Street and its access routes due to be carried out.

The work forms part of a wider initiative themed around connections.

CONNECTIONS is a comprehensive approach to the regeneration of Cowdenbeath Town Centre. The project not only looks at physical connections but also emotional, community and historical connections.

At the core of this is community involvement and the great degree of civic pride that the people of Cowdenbeath have for their town. It is important that the whole community is part of the work that is carried out.

The community wants to see things being done, consultation is important in ensuring that we are doing what the community wants and also an essential requirement of any funding bid but it’s important that there are things that people can actually see happening.

Cowdenbeath has a rich mix of high quality independent retailers with many years of experience providing a valuable and trusted service with people travelling from distance to visit. It is important that things are done to help these businesses grow and flourish.

Andrew Walker, of Fife Council's Town Centre Development Unit said: "The town is well served with a number of facilities. There is has been considerable public investment in buildings such as the Community Centre, on Stenhouse Street, a new skate park and planned improvements to the leisure centre.

"These things are complemented by private investment in housing and new retail outlets in the town.

"People want to feel safe within the town at all times of day and improved street lighting and winter lighting has supported this, encouraging people to walk into town. The approach will include improved paving surfaces to ensure people of all ages and abilities can make their way around the town centre.

"We want to bring colour and vibrancy into the town. Cowdenbeath Town Centre has a mix of day time and evening economy so at points of the day there is a wall of grey shutters. The ongoing Shutter Art project has been successful in brightening these up to provide colour and vibrancy at all times of the day".

He added: "Cowdenbeath is rightly proud of its mining heritage and it is important that we acknowledge that. It’s also important to embrace today and provide a clean safe and attractive environment for the town’s people to enjoy and with places and spaces where people can meet and socialise.

"Looking to the future and the aspirations of the young people what are their dreams what will the Cowdenbeath and the world of tomorrow be like.

"Looking at the past the transformation of Brunton Square into a heritage garden reflecting the mining heritage of the town, creating an attractive gateway into the town and giving people a place to linger. The painting of the mural on the wall of Brunton House has been a fantastic success with not only the people of Cowdenbeath but nationally and internationally celebrating it. "We are so lucky to have such a talented lady as Kerry Wilson helping to bring colour and creativity to the town

"On the Present, creating a formal greenspace in the heart of the town centre giving people a place to meet, a reason to spend more time within the town centre and a place to hold events. Encouraging year round activity whether through events and shows or markets giving local people the opportunity to show their creative talent

"Future-A public art project for Cowdenbeath tying in with the High Street improvements. Situated along The Line and into Hall Street and Pit Road. The work uses the imagery of the blown dandelion to express making a wish for the future. Dandelion flowers and florets float through the park into the centre of the town, connecting two schools and the leisure centre with Cowdenbeath High Street.

"It has been a long journey to where we are today and still a distance to go. So far there has been a number of successes which have helped us get to where we are,

"Over £1.2million of funding has been brought in through a variety of funders including SUSTRANS, Fife Environmental Trust, Scottish Government and Fife Council. Projects already funded free town centre Wi-Fi, Gazebos’ & Marquees for Civic Week, Winter Lighting in and around the leisure centre and the entrance to Morrison’s.

"Cowdenbeath was shortlisted for Scotland’s Future Towns Award from Scotland’s Town Partnership. The future plans formed a shortlist of 12 towns as part of Scotland’s Towns Week and Cowdenbeath finished in fourth place after a public vote.

"One of the great strengths of the town is the civic pride. This can be seen in such groups as the Community Council, the Civic Week, and the environmental group. It is also reflected in local schools both at Primary and secondary level

The success of local retailers is key to the long term prosperity. Regular breakfast meetings take place to engage with these businesses to hear their concerns and look for solutions and ways to improve and help sustainability of their businesses to ensure that the great mix is sustained and developed

"The Scottish Government's Place Standard tool has been used with a number of groups in helping to understand what works in the town and what doesn’t and helping the local community shape future plans

"A key element of any work in the town centre is about partnerships and working with local schools is important whether it’s helping with art projects, being digital ambassadors or encouraging and giving opportunities for enterprise

"Digital infrastructure is key for any modern town centre people want to be connected, free public Wi-Fi the length of the High Street helps people on the move and helps promote local businesses through the town website http://www.lovecowdenbeath.co.uk