Improvements to a notorious Fife road could make the stretch more dangerous than ever, a local man has warned.
Eric Bell, from Cluny, says a new series of roadworks in the community will encourage drivers to put their foot down on a stretch of road already synonymous with fatal accidents.
Fife Council intends to start work next week on the B981, resurfacing and widening the route and building a new footpath through the village.
However, with Cluny residents having compiled their own catalogue of incidents on the road, there are widespread fears that the improvements may prove to be anything but.
“These works mean that traffic will speed up,” said Mr Bell. “By introducing pedestrians to this then you’re making things even worse.
“There needs to be something physical on that road to slow people down. You can put up notices and signs but nobody will pay attention to them.
“Fife Council take a statistical approach to it all but myself and my neighbour are dealing with people who are bloodied after accidents.
“We are on the frontline but the council just seem to turn a blind eye.”
Last month, 36-year-old David Shields died when his blue Ford Fiesta was involved in a collision with a van on the stretch between Cluny and Cardenden.
It is the latest in a series of incidents on the route, which have been catalogued by Cluny resident Brian McGurn.
Fife Council intends to start work in the village next Tuesday, with the section of road between West Greenhead Cottages, Cardenden Road and the junction of Woodland Gait and Cardenden Road closed for eight weeks to allow the project to be completed.
The local authority denies the improvements will result in more accidents, and said public safety has been taken into consideration.
Murray Hannah, Fife Council’s road safety service manager, said: “The road improvements associated with the bridge works will be compatible with the existing 30mph speed limit.
“Additionally, the proposed visibility for pedestrians when crossing the road has a good margin of safety built into the design to cater for any reasonable variations in traffic speed.
“The new section of footway will allow a continuous pedestrian route through this part of Cluny by linking the existing footpath on the south side with the residential area and bus stop on the north.
“This footway link will improve pedestrian safety.
“Traffic management officers have been working routinely with the project design team in relation to the planned monitoring and evaluation of the road improvements.
“In this regard, a traffic speed survey will be undertaken on completion of the works to assist with this and to allow an assessment of the need for any further traffic management or road safety measures.
“This approach is compatible with good practice.”