Power station demolition planned

Scottish Power hopes the demolition process will be completed by 2012

A former coal-fired power station in Fife will be demolished within five years, it has been announced.

Scottish Power said it had just completed a process of removing hazardous materials from Methil Power Station, which closed in 2000.

The derelict site has remained a blot on the landscape as it sits on the shoreline in the centre of the town.

A company spokesman said the tender for the demolition work was expected to be announced at the end of the year.

The power station was commissioned in 1965 and built on the site of a golf course.

It used sea water as a coolant and therefore did not need cooling towers.

Coal was brought to the site by train but freight ceased using the line when it closed.

It is planned to reopen the same stretch of railway for passenger trains connecting to Thornton.

Independent councillor Andrew Rodger, who lives in Methil, told the BBC Scotland news website: "Without a doubt, I welcome that. It's something that's been needed to be taken down for years.

"We are wanting to turn Methil into a tourist area. We have a championship golf course which we want to capitalise on and the plan for the rail link.

"There's a good future for the area."