A community facing major disruption has been promised the short-term pain will be worth the long-term gain.
The main A919 through Guardbridge will be closed for eight weeks, resulting in a lengthy diversion for motorists and upheaval for local residents and businesses.
But according to St Andrews University creation of its £25 million green energy centre, for which pipework is being laid, will breathe new life into a village brought to its knees by the loss of its paper mill and major employer eight years ago.
The road closure from February 15 will allow a pipe to be laid to carry hot water from a biomass boiler to heat university buildings at St Andrews’ North Haugh, slashing the university’s energy bills and carbon footprint.
At least 250 university staff will be based at the centre. Space for small businesses who want to collaborate with the university is expected to bring further jobs.
Already the former mill houses the Eden Mill brewery which has grown from three employees to almost 40.
Representatives of the university and contractor Vital Energi have attended community council meetings and distributed 1,400 leaflets to households.
University vice-principal Verity Brown said: “Inevitably when we arrive people are saying ‘you are closing our road’ but when we tell people our plans they see the potential.”
Vital Energi contracts manager Ashley Walsh said substantial investigation had been conducted and the pipework route was the only one physically possible.
As well as a dedicated Facebook page, a 24-hour helpline has been established to help those affected by the works.
Guardbridge Community Council chair Elspeth Paterson said the village would be effectively divided by the road closure and many people remained in the dark about arrangements such as altered bus routes and car parking.
However, there was optimism from some who attended a drop-in session at the Eden Mill brewery on Thursday.
Kay Wallace, of Kincaple, said: “Guardbridge used to be a thriving village. It would be great if we could get back to those days.”
Next month’s closure will involve a lengthy diversion via the Dairsie roundabout, Balmullo and St Michaels, with a secondary diversion option via Balmullo, Cupar and Pitscottie in an attempt to avoid long queues at the Guardbridge roundabout.