Long tailbacks have been reported at the start of eight weeks of major roadworks around Guardbridge.
The Main Street is closed to through traffic as part of work to lay pipelines for St Andrews University’s £25 million green energy project on the former paper mill site.
Instead there will be lengthy diversions for drivers, via the Dairsie roundabout, Balmullo and St Michaels with a secondary detour option taking in Balmullo, Cupar and Pitscottie.
Many took to social media to air their complaints about the long diversion.
One complained to Stagecoach about a “terrible” Fife to Leuchars service, saying she had to order a taxi to make sure she caught her train in time.
In reply Stagecoach East Scotland said the road closure was causing some difficulties but the company was “doing what we can”.
During the early morning rush hour, tailbacks of four miles were reported to Balmullo as people using the diversion could not get out of the St Michael’s junction.
And tweeting, Rascals Bar asked: “Anyone enjoying the shambles of traffic going to and from St Andrews?Guardbridge no signs up and cars doing u-turns past shops to go back.”
But at 8am St Andrews councillor Brian Thomson said traffic was flowing okay through Guardbridge.
“Heading to Dundee on bus and through in less than three minutes.”
Guardbridge roadworks start today. Follow the diversions and drive responsibly. Have patience – were all getting used to the new layout.
— North East Fife Police (@NorthFifePol) February 15, 2016
One driver today reported: “Tailbacks four miles to Balmullo as people on Guardbridge diversion can’t get out at St Mike’s junction. Needs sorting quickly.”
Police in North East Fife urged drivers to show patience, saying: “We’re all getting used to the new layout.”
The university said the project will create hundreds of construction jobs and once complete could pave the way for more than 250 staff members to relocate, and revitalise, the site, breathing new life into a village badly hit by the loss of the mill.
Tailbacks 4 mls to Balmullo as people on Guardbridge diversion can't get out at St Mike's junction. Needs sorting quickly @univofstandrews!
— West Riding Matt (@WestRidingMatt) February 15, 2016
But in the short term, it will bring disruption to this part of north-east Fife, with Guardbridge community council chairwoman and local businesswoman Elspeth Paterson saying she has nightmares about a possible impact on her shop.
She also voiced concerns very few people in Guardbridge and Balmullo had received information leaflets, slamming the university, saying: “They should have got up on their two hind legs and gone door to door themselves.”
Anyone enjoying the shambles of traffic going to and from #StAndrews ? Guardbridge no signs up and cars doing u-turns past shop to go back!
— Rascals Bar (@RascalsBar) February 15, 2016
However, the university had taken over printing and distributing leaflets after an initial problem, and had enlisted students to distribute an extra 600 over and above the original 1,400. Over the weekend it was printing another 500.
She also raised concerns about the university not being able to provide any parking in Cupar Road, but the university said it was not “in its gift” to alter road safety measures, pointing out it had provided alternative parking and a park and ride scheme.
A spokesman for St Andrews University said he understood the frustration of those affected.
“Many of us sat in the same queues and we are grateful for the patience, understanding and good grace shown by road users,” he said.
“We’re aware that the phasing of the temporary traffic lights at Guardbridge is a particular issue and that this appeared to cause longer than expected delays for traffic coming from Cupar and Dundee.
“We have raised this with the contractors and hope drivers will notice an improvement in the coming days.”