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Timings sorted: now will it work?
5211005 SSFF new junction bus having to swing out wide to traverse the new junction at the Adam Smith Centre, Kirkcaldy
More adjustments have been made to the traffic lights at the new new Adam Smith junction - and Fife’s transport boss says he is now ‘confident’ traffic will flow more easily.
The project has been the subject of huge criticism since the roundabout outside the Adam Smith Theatre was replaced by traffic lights shortly before Christmas.
Since the lights became operational, Fife Council has come under sustained attack after drivers faced lengthy delays, and neighbouring streets were transformed into rat runs for motorists trying to avoid the junction.
Traffic jams saw motorists adding to carbon emissions rather than creating the ‘Green Corridor’ the project was intended.
Last week a private consultant was drafted in at a cost of between £1000 and £2000 to monitor the traffic flow and get the balance right for drivers and pedestrians.
Working well
Now, after more timing adjustments, the Council has said it is confident that the new system is working well.
Bob McLellan, head of transportation and environmental services, said: “We introduced traffic signals as part of a bid to improve links for pedestrians and cyclists between the railway station, the bus station, the civic centre and the town centre in Kirkcaldy.
“The challenge was finding a solution that let pedestrians cross the road safely and didn’t cause excessive delays for drivers.
“I believe the state of the art equipment we have installed fits the bill as it reacts to changing traffic conditions and now, with these adjustments, should allow vehicles to flow more easily.”
White lining
It is also expected white lining work on the Bennochy Road approach to the junction - which has now been completed - will also help with traffic flow.
Mr McLellan added: “Difficulties being experienced by pedestrians trying to cross at the former roundabout were raised with us regularly at consultation events and were also noted on our own site visits.
“The new traffic signals give pedestrians confidence about when it’s safe and appropriate to cross the road.
“It’s unfortunate that the new system didn’t get off to the best of starts and drivers have been frustrated.
“However, I hope that people will see the longer term benefits for Kirkcaldy as the system continues to bed in.”
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
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kdyman
Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 03:34 PMAnd it goes on and on.........Mr Mc lellan is doing what ALL politicians do, he sticks his head in the sand knowing that eventually the public will give in and shut-up. I was not aware that fife council had employed a pedestraincycle god. Mr Mcleellan has singled handelded increased the poisonous gasses 100 fold by his poor thought out plans. £5 million wasted pounds. This is all his doing with the backing of a few of his "you scratch my back" fellow councilours. The traffic problem around Adam Smith is considerably worse for 2 reasons.The first is the pullotion by car exhausts sitting idle ALL day and secondly, the rat run around all the roads in close proximity. Traffic has not died down, some of it just sits burning "gas" the rest hares around the side streets. I would like the cost of all the cycle lanes created to be published. There are EXTREMELY few cyclists in KDY and most of which spend all their time running on and off pavements in order for them to get from A to B as quickly as possible. This is dangerous to all, Whats more, 90%+ of cyclists do not havewear bright clothinglighting and are therefore are dangerous to all in their vicinity. Mr Mc lelland should devote his time in ensuring our children are better educated (the green cross code) and that police should spend some less time harrassing motorists and more time actually punishing cyclists that dont ride correctly. How about a wee course on safety?. Lastly, answer this if you can, What does the wee green man on traffic lights mean........if your answer is that you are "good to gosafe to cross" the road, then you are WRONG.!
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