Summer of diversions: Major road closures hit Kirkcaldy, what it means to you
Get set for the summer of diversions around Kirkcaldy as major roads are set to close for months, impacting on residents, businesses and bus services.
Work starts on Tuesday (May 5) which will see Dysart Road shut for up to six months - and it is followed by a year-long closure of Bennochy Bridge to ALL traffic from May 12.
Businesses have already raised concerns over the lack of clarity on alternative routes and access to their premises, but the rok is going ahead as scheduled. Here’s our lowdown on what is happening, and how the diversions will impact on you.
> Dysart Road.
Scottish Water is digging up the sewer below the road which is one of the town’s main arterial routes.
It is a significant piece of work and needs a full road closure from the junction with The Kyles to just past Ravenscraig Park car park for up to six months. The road may be shut until October 31.
Only part of the car park at Ravenscraig Park has been kept open for public use, and anyone looking to park on the road may be hit by the parking restrictions which form part of the closure.
Access to Ravenscraig car park will be from the east of Dysart Road -the Briarscliff Street/Wishart Place side). There will be no vehicle access from the roundabout at St Clair Street/Nether Street at the bottom of Dysart Road, or Harriet Street and Ravenscraig Street.
A signed diversion route is available via St Clair Street, Randolph Road and Boreland Road, and road users are encouraged to follow it to avoid rat runs hitting the narrow residential streets close to the park’
Motorists are urged to allow for extra times on their journey, particularly at peak times. Extra signage is also being installed to advise residents and visitors that ball businesses remain open as normal throughout the works - but buses will be diverted for the next six months.
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “This is a busy route in Kirkcaldy and we recognise it will inevitably cause some delays so we ask people to allow extra time for journeys. We will work as quickly as conditions and safety allow to finish as soon as possible and would like to thank everyone affected for their patience and understanding.”
The work being done is to upgrade the combined sewer overflow and associated pipework to enhance water quality and significantly reduce sewer‑related debris entering the beach and the Firth of Forth.
> Bennochy Bridge
May 12 is when Bennochy Bridge closes to all traffic for 12 months - and getting from one side to the other could take drivers on a detour right round the town.
Network Rail needs to demolish the bridge and rebuild it at a higher level to give the clearance necessary for trains running on the newly electrified line - and much of that timescale is taken up by the need to sort out all utilities before work commences.
The official diversion is lengthy, with traffic coming down Bennochy Road into town diverted towards Forth Avenue and across the roundabout at Aldi and on past Dundee College of Midwifery. The detour will take them along to the roundabout at Beveridge Park and down Nicol Street to the Esplanade where they will turn left at Volunteers Green and continue along the waterfront and up The Path to the Ravenscraig flats at the bottom of St Clair Street.
They will then turn left along Millie Street and on to Victoria Road … passing Bennochy Bridge on the right as they finally head into town.
Fife Council has been working with Network Rail to explore alternative route options - an alternative could see traffic routed via Forth Avenue and Abbotshall Road, reconnecting with Bennochy Road.
> Buses
The closures have handed Stagecoach a logistical headache as it re-routes a significant number of services.
With Dysart Road closed,services X58 and X61 will be diverted via Windmill Road and St Clair Street in both directions.
With no access over Bennochy Bridge, services will divert via Abbotshall Road, Whyte Melville Road and Forth Avenue in both directions. Temporary stops will be in place on Whyte Melville Road and East Fergus Place.
A Stagecoach South Scotland spokesperson said: “While customers may experience some changes to journey times, we’re working to keep these to a minimum and would encourage passengers to allow a little extra time when travelling.
“We will continue to keep our website and app updated with the latest information and would encourage customers to check before they travel.”
The full list of services affected by the road closures is: the 7, 7A, 14A, 32, 33, 33A, 34, 34A, 34B, 35A, 37, 37A, 39, 39A, 39B, 41, 46, X27 and X61.