Campaigners seeking safety improvements to a notorious stretch of the A92 are to meet Scotland’s transport minister next month.
Members of the North Glenrothes Community Council (NGCC) will travel to the Scottish Parliament to meet Derek Mackay as part of their efforts to have the trunk road upgraded.
Of particular concern to the group is the stretch between the Balfarg and Cadham junctions at Glenrothes, where the life of a young boy was claimed in an accident earlier this year.
However, the community council’s chairman accepts that even the most convincing case to improve the road will depend upon financial backing from the Scottish Government.
“Money. That will be the big issue,” said Ron Page.
“We would like some promises of real action.
“Transport Scotland and Bear Scotland have worked on patches here and there but there are five hotspots that the community council has identified and they are still there.
“Does it have to take an accident involving a busload of children before anything gets done?”
Fife communities in the vicinity of the A92 have called for improvements to the route for years.
Despite campaigning both independently and together, campaigners’ pleas have fallen on deaf ears, with other Scottish routes such as the A9 deemed a greater priority.
However, the Fife road has returned to the spotlight recently following a series of serious accidents, including the death of a nine-year-old boy on the Cadham to Balfarg stretch.
Logan Carrie was struck by a vehicle as he attempted to cross the route during the evening rush hour on February 10.
Following this and fatal accidents in the Freuchie area, a closed-doors meeting took place in March, involving representatives of local community councils, Transport Scotland, Bear Scotland, Police Scotland and Fife Council.
As well as safety concerns from the NGCC and other community councils, Fife Council has also developed an economic case to have the route overhauled, claiming that an improved A92 would have significant benefits for the region.
Mr Page continued: “Kettle Produce is expanding, as is a quarry.
“There are other economic developments that will exacerbate traffic on the A92.
“We will put forward our case to the minister but the decision comes back to the Scottish Government every time.”