Speed cut on rural Fife road after residents fear serious crashes
Traffic on a rural Fife road is set to be slowed to 40mph after residents expressed fears that the route was a “serious accident or fatality” waiting to happen.
A petition was presented to members of the Glenrothes Area Committee requesting that the the speed cut on Strathore Road at Redford Cottages, near Thornton.
Addressing councillors, one local, Paul Casaldine, said 13 accidents had taken place near his home since 2015.
“My first experience was hearing screaming at two in the morning,” he said. “It was someone at the door, a young chap covered in blood. He had gone into the field. The most recent one ended up with a telegraph pole being struck. Half of it ended up at our back door which we use all the time. This was quite staggering.
“The amount of accidents that have happened and occurred on that stretch of road already just by our cottages must indicate there’s a problem. We think it is a serious accident or fatality waiting to happen.
Neighbour Clive Nisbet added: “Police cannot do anything about it because there is no speeding. There have not been any convictions but they agree that the limit of 60 mph coming over the hump bridge is excessive.”
Steve Sellars, lead consultant in road safety and travel planning service, said a survey carried out in October showed the average speed to be 48mph.
“It really does come down to appropriate signage and getting the message across to drivers that the speed limit is very much a limit - not a target,” he said.
Councillor Altany Craik, (Glenrothes West and Kinglassie,Labour) called for retexturing of the road and signage to be introduced as well as a speed reduction to 40mph.
Councillors Lynda Holton and Daniel Wilson (Glenrothes Central and Thornton), have been supporting the residents in their efforts for change.
Said Cllr Holton. “If we can avoid one serious accident where someone is really seriously injured, it is enough for me.”
Cllr Wilson added: “Far too often, we find ourselves in the council reacting to something that had already happened. We have residents telling us these things are happening.”
Councillor Craig Walker (Glenrothes West and Kinglassie, SNP) agreed: “I do not subscribe to the view that we must wait for a fatality before we make any changes. It would seem to me that the sensible thing would be to agree with a 40mph route in to Thornton. Hopefully that will make a big difference.”
Road and transportation officers will now come up with a design proposal which will return to the committee for consideration in June.