A new access to Falkland Estate, which opened this week, is set to ease the chronic congestion and traffic problems in the historic burgh village.
The new junction at the A912 replaces the existing entrance at Pillars of Hercules and also offers increased car parking for scores of visitors which flock to the popular tourist attraction every day.
The 1,500-hectare estate, which includes Falkland Palace, once the country retreat for the royal Stuarts and a favourite of Mary Queen of Scots, is one of Fife’s busiest public attractions, welcoming around 200,000 visitors every year.
Often the volume of traffic results in tailbacks and gridlock through the narrow medieval streets.
Management at the estate were even forced to temporarily close the car park in May after a deluge of visitors despite the coronavirus lockdown raised fears the coronavirus would be brought to the village.
Whilst the estate’s Stables car park will remain open, the new car park will offer an alternative entrance to the estate and in so doing reduce the number of vehicles passing through Falkland.
A spokesperson for the Falkland Estate Trust, said: “After months of hard work and an enforced closure due to Covid-19, we are delighted to announce that the new road entrance to Falkland Estate will be operational from Wednesday.
“This is located to the south of the existing junction, which will be permanently closed.
“This will involve a change to the existing road layout and drivers should take care when approaching and leaving the new junction.
“Initially there will be temporary signage in place to alert drivers and cyclists to the changes.
“More permanent signage and landscape planting will follow in coming months. A section of the new car park will be available for use from Wednesday.”
Funding for the road reconstruction programme came from Fife LEADER as part of the Scottish Government Rural Development Programme supported by the European Union as well as Falkland Estate Trust and Pillars of Hercules Organic Farm Shop and Café.
