Concerns that there is an accident waiting to happen near the site of Cupar’s newest supermarket have been raised with Fife Council.
Cupar resident Ken Cameron, of St Michaels Drive, contacted The Courier to raise fears that the creation of a new junction into Aldi on South Road, and changes to parking restrictions outside the Golf Tavern, had made a collision more likely.
Revealing that he had written to Cupar councillor and South Road resident Bryan Poole with his concerns, Mr Cameron said there are “considerable conflicts” between vehicle movements to/from Tesco/St Michaels Drive/Aldi/Ceres Road and South Road.
He added: “A serious hazard to pedestrians has arisen from a parking restriction on the Golf Tavern side.
“Cars were always parked here and gave protection to pedestrians on the narrow pavement.
“Now that there are no parked vehicles, traffic into town is greatly speeded up and can be very close to the kerb. This is very dangerous to pedestrians and especially those pushing buggies who must be close to the pavement edge.”
Mr Poole said: “Firstly I think Ken Cameron’s concerns are well made and I’m pleased he’s raised them with both myself and via The Courier.
“Speaking partly as a councillor and partly as a resident of South Road and frequent ‘passerby’ of the area of concern, I believe now is the time to revisit the management of traffic not only in South Road but in areas leading to and surrounding Castlehill Primary School which obviously includes the route going past Tescos, St Michaels Drive, Aldis and Ceres Road.
“Fife Council worked with a group of concerned residents a couple of years ago around speeding in the area which led to a number of interventions and, although they haven’t been universally popular, they have reduced the speed of traffic in the South Road area.
“The area around the new Aldi store presents some new and additional challenges and, although Aldi has just been open a week, it’s better that we have an initial look at the concerns that have been raised rather than wait for something untoward happening.
“With that in mind I have asked that an exploratory meeting be held involving the three ward councillors and transportation officials and it may be we need to widen that out depending on the outcome of that meeting.
“Our transportation officials have responded very quickly and positively to that request and I hope and would expect that meeting will take place in the next couple of weeks.”