A long-awaited report on the safety of the A92 in Glenrothes has rejected calls to improve the route.
Transport Scotland has finally published results of its study on the trunk road and five identified hazards, six months after saying its findings were “imminent.”
In a conclusion described as disappointing and unacceptable, the report said, “The Transport Appraisal Study has not identified any potential options to be taken forward for further consideration and development.”
The study which began in March 2010 followed years of active campaigning by politicians and the Glenrothes Area Futures Group, who were concerned by the number of accidents on the main road north of the town.
A 3500-signature petition calling for action was lodged with the Scottish Parliament in the summer of 2008, and Transport Scotland’s agreement to carry out a STAG report was hailed as a “dramatic achievement.”
Last year the A92 in Fife saw the deaths of four people, with the stretch north of Glenrothes accounting for three of the four fatal accidents.
GAFG said it hoped the report would at least result in traffic lights at Balfarg and Cadham junctions. But Transport Scotland’s report added, “Accidents within the study area and at other locations on the trunk road network are subject to annual monitoring by the Strategic Road Safety unit within Transport Scotland.
“The most recent upgrades to the Balfarg junction and the Cadham Road junction were implemented in 2008 and 2010 respectively. The review of accidents will include monitoring to determine the effectiveness of the recent improvements.”
Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker criticised the SNP Government which oversees the transport body, stating its inaction was unacceptable.
“It is unacceptable that the SNP Government think that inaction on the A92 around Glenrothes is the best option,” she said.
“It is clearly dangerous and people rightly want something done. I’m surprised that the report dismisses all options and recommends that no more improvements be made. The local community deserves action.”
She added, “Changes to the road had cross-party support so it is very disappointing that nothing has been done.”
Transport Scotland looked at four options for Balfarg junction a new roundabout on the A92/Western Avenue junction, a signalised junction, banned right turns and banned right turn out of Western Avenue only.
The study concluded that banned turn options would reduce accidents at Balfarg junction but the diverted traffic would increase bumps at other locations.
It said the roundabout and signals options would generate a positive benefit in terms of reducing the cost of accidents, but added they would create an additional delay and a small negative environmental impact.
At Cadham junction, the option of traffic lights was looked at but it was concluded that while they would reduce the accident risk, they would generate more accidents and delay than current arrangements.