New speed limits are on track to be implemented on several roads around north-east Fife following a region-wide review of A and B class routes.
Ten sections of the area’s road network have been put forward by Fife Council’s transportation officers for 30mph, 40mph and 50mph limits which they say will boost safety.
It is hoped the reductions, mooted after consideration of crash records and road alignment, will be in place by the end of the year.
National guidance on setting speed limits was updated in 2006, and all road authorities were ordered to review A and B class routes by the end of this year.
The proposed new limits in north-east Fife resulting from the national speed management strategy review are: 40mph on the B936 between Auchtermuchty and Dunshalt 50mph on the B936 straight between Falkland and Dunshalt 40mph on the B936 between Falkland and Newton of Falkland 40mph on the B936 between Newton of Falkland and Freuchie 40mph on the B937 through Giffordtown and Charlestown 40mph on the A917 western approach to Pittenweem 30mph on the B941 approach to Kilconquhar 40mph on the B946 slip road to the Tay Road Bridge roundabout 30mph on the A914, B945 and A919 approaches to St Michaels crossroads an extension of the 40mph on the A91 eastern approach to Guardbridge
The council’s north-east Fife area committee will be asked on Wednesday to approve the new speed limits.
In his report to committee, head of transport services Bob McLellan said, “The proposed provision of the 40mph and 50mph speed limits on sections of the A and B class roads should help improve and maintain road safety to the particular benefit of local communities and residents.
“The proposed reduction to 40mph and 50mph from the national de-restricted 60mph speed limit and the proposed reduction from 40mph to 30mph are all in compliance with the current guidance on setting speed limits.
“The road alignment, crash record and current speed levels are such that restricting speed limits are considered appropriate.
“Once the speed limits have been implemented, and following a settling down period, the operation of the new arrangements will be monitored and evaluated.”
Howe of Fife and Tay Coast councillor Donald Lothian welcomed the proposals.
He said, “I have been pressing the case with the council for some years to reduce the speed limit on certain sections of the B936 between Auchtermuchty and Freuchie and the B937 through Edentown, Charlottetown and Giffordtown for some time and am very pleased with the council’s response.
“Traffic speed can have a severe detrimental effect on local communities. It is good news for all the communities involved, but there still remains the issue of traffic speed on the A91 through Bow of Fife, which is a severe issue for this community.”