Call for urgency to introduce speed reduction on rural Fife road
Fife Council has been urged to implement a speed limit reduction on a rural road near Thornton as a priority amid ongoing safety concerns.
Members of the Glenrothes Area Committee agreed to promote a traffic regulation order – which will see limits on Strathore Road cut to 30mph and 40mph – back in March.
The decision followed a petition being presented to the committee requesting that something be done after 13 crashes had taken place near Redford Cottages since 2015.
One of the residents involved in the campaign, Clive Nisbet, has this week expressed his frustration that the new limit is not yet in place.
“Currently this TRO is neither in force or enforceable by Police Scotland due to the fact that the signage has not been installed,” he said.
“Whilst the TRO has been signed off the delay in carrying out the necessary works is unacceptable, considering the 14-plus serious accidents that have occurred in the last 10 years outside Redford Cottages.
“These works should not take longer than a day as the current signage exiting Thornton only requires to be changed and there are interim signage posts along the route for the smaller 40mph signs, with new posts only required at the far end.
“Currently the priority in this matter seems to be severely lacking. Fife council have on record photographs of the serious nature of these accidents, the last which caused damage to property.”
As there are no footpaths on the route, local residents have to walk along the road to access paths to walk their dogs.
Mr Nisbet continued: “Road users consistently ignore the current signage in terms of the bridge, concealed entrances and to slow down, thus putting our lives at risk.”
He has written to Fife Council urging them to prioritise the work as urgent as he fears a fatality could occur before Police Scotland are able to start monitoring the road.
Fife Council Lead Consultant Steven Sellars acknowledged the concerns.
“Residents are understandably keen to see the new 40mph speed limit introduced as soon as possible,” he said.
“The Traffic Regulation Order has been promoted, and the legal aspects completed. However, the new speed limit cannot come into effect until the associated signs and road markings have been installed.
“These works are usually carried out within three months from the date the order is finalised. In this case, August 13, 2026.”