AN OLD road that was used for transporting coal between the former opencast mine at St Ninians and Longannet Power Station has been uncovered.

Site owners National Pride (St Ninians) Ltd) made the discovery during maintenance and repairs works in the ongoing development of a proposed Eco-Therapy Wellness and Leisure Park near Kelty.

Since the closure of the opencast mine, vegetation covered the 2.25 miles of the tarmac road leaving little more than a pathway unrecognisable from its former use and size.

National Pride is set to bring forward proposals to Fife Council for the development of the site with rapid progress being made with the architects in the overall proposed design strategy.

Details of the proposed development will be made available to the public as soon as possible.

Irene Bisset, chair of National Pride, said of the ongoing activity: “The uncovering of the former coal road has been an amazing discovery particularly as what was revealed was in a very good condition having been protected from the weather by the years of accumulated vegetation. The now exposed road will assist us greatly by providing easier access across the site while further maintenance and repair works continue.

“During these necessary ongoing restoration works, heavy plant and machinery will be present and contractors will take every precaution to ensure the safety of visitors.

"Signage has been erected to urge the public to exercise caution and diversions away from the works will be in place."