Clean Up Our Coasts

There's sh*t in our seawater. And it's getting worse under the SNP.

In the 2025 ratings from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Kinghorn Beach was rated Poor, down from Sufficient in 2021; Pettycur Beach was rated Good, down from Excellent in 2022; Burntisland Beach was rated Sufficient in 2025, down from Good in 2024.

Claire Baker MSP and Melanie Ward MP have been fighting hard to stop disgusting bacteria being pumped on to local beaches.

Reports of swimmers encountering sewage waste, and people falling ill due to exposure, as well as local beach closures during peak season, have been unacceptable. What’s worse is that publicly-owned Scottish Water has been aware of the issue at the Kinghorn Lady Burn leaking contaminated water onto our beaches since at least 2019 - 7 years ago - yet there has been no meaningful action.

That’s right: our water quality is declining at the same time as our water rates are increasing. Water is the responsibility of the Scottish Government, which has been under SNP control for almost 2 decades. Nearly 7 years of inaction on filthy water at the expense of our constituents' health is not good enough.

This issue was raised last year, but the CEO of Scottish Water told Fifers to "not overblow" our concerns. This response understandably sparked outrage. We won’t accept sewage on our beaches, especially when our water bills are increasing by 8.7%, and the Scottish Water CEO has just pocketed a £50,000 bonus.

The SNP Scottish Government has a responsibility to ensure that this issue is rectified. I will be meeting with the SEPA - Scotland's principal environmental regulator - in the coming weeks to raise the issue of declining water quality in the Kingdom.

That’s why today Claire Baker MSP and I are launching the ‘Clean Up Our Coasts’ Petition for residents affected by this harmful issue. 

Please add your name to this petition, demanding that Scottish Water takes action on this issue and all beaches in Fife, including Kinghorn, Pettycur and Burntisland beaches remain clean and open all year round. 

If you received a leaflet, please consider displaying the front page in a visible location to show your support.