Revealed: the number of roadworks in place across Fife
A total of 318 different sets of roadworks were in place across Fife in April.
The figures were revealed at a recent meeting of Fife Council when Councillor Altany Craik, the spokesperson for finance, economy and strategic planning, said efforts were made to reduce impact of works.
“Significant resources and focus are always utilised to minimise the impact of major roadworks,” he said. “There is a challenge to deliver major roadworks and coordinate utilities’ works while safeguarding local communities and businesses.
“Recent examples have seen coordinated works with temporary park and ride facilities, deferment of work to avoid the main tourist period, and movement of work within school holiday periods when traffic levels are lower to minimise the impact.”
Cllr Craik acknowledged the effect that ongoing roadworks can have on communities.
“It is an area of frustration for us all,” he said. “When you have emergency utility works or unplanned works come along and disrupt the road but there is impact on businesses too.
“I think there is a bit of work needed to be done. Better coordination and better communication. We are continuing to work on but it, it is not easy. It is something we can do better at.”
Kirkcaldy East councillor Nicola Patrick was keen to ensure that projects were regularly checked on to minimise the impact.
“Considering all works and the traffic management due in the Kirkcaldy areas soon, how many of these 318 roadworks with traffic management were inspected by transportation services to make sure the lights were working, the barriers were in place etc?” she asked.
While not able to give figures immediately, Cllr Craik said he would look for the answer.
“I think it is a fair point,” he said. “We need to ensure that if there is traffic management that it is working and it is adequate for the job it is doing. So we will get the breakdown of the detail on that. There’s nothing more frustrating than a set of lights that doesn’t work.”