Road safety measure hazard for cyclists

According to cyclist Peter Adamson the combination of the new, un-marked, junction and poor street lighting at Hepburn Gardens led him to come off his bike at the weekend. “Astonished” to see such a dramatic change, Mr Adamson described the new design as “completely stupid” adding: “In the dark it is very difficult to distinguish road from pavement.”

Just days later Fife councillor Brian Thomson, himself a keen cyclist, saw a similar incident while contributors to Facebook claim to have seen five other accidents since the ‘build out’ was installed.

Cllr Thomson commented that the changes to the junction had been designed to make the junction safer for all users, but added: “It’s clear that the revised layout is not visible enough for cyclists, particularly in the dark.”

Mark Dewar, Service Manager for Design & Construction at Fife Council said this afternoon: “It is unfortunate that cyclists and motorists are not observing the new road layout. An officer is on site today observing driver and cyclist behaviour on the approach to the re-aligned junction. So far he has observed several drivers and cyclists mounting the build out, which is designed to offer cyclists more protection when passing through the junction.

“We’re responding quickly to the issue and minor modifications to the white lining will be carried out this afternoon to enhance the approach of the new junction layout in an effort to raise road users awareness of the changes.”

Later in day workmen were seen on site working on the road markings.