By Gordon Berry

SCOTLAND’S TRANSPORT minister Nicol Stephen has asked for a full report on safety issues at a site on the main A92 road near Ladybank where four local teenagers recently lost their lives in a horrific accident.

The move was welcomed yesterday by North-East Fife MSP Iain Smith, who has also been informed there is to be general safety work on a lengthy stretch of the A92 in north-east Fife.

The MSP said he had been told of the developments in an answer to a parliamentary question, and he felt the plans would help prevent another tragedy and also address a poor safety record on the A92.

“Plans to tackle danger spots on the A92 between New Inn and the Tay Road Bridge have already been approved and are now set to be put into action this year. The proposals will include, among others, the construction of anti-skid surfacing, vehicle activated signing, improved road markings and bollards.”

He said that there would also be speed limit measures at Freuchie and a number of junction improvement studies.

“These measures will increase road safety in the area and will hopefully go some way towards preventing another terrible tragedy like the one we saw recently,” said Mr Smith.

The minister said in his parliamentary answer that a number of proposals to improve road safety on the A92 between New Inn and the Tay Road Bridge have been approved and will be implemented during 2005-06.

It was also made clear by Mr Stephen that he had asked for a full report on safety issues on the A92 at the B937 junction south of Ladybank, next to where the recent accident took place.

In the meantime it has been revealed that a new £1.1 million project aimed at improving the main A92 just a few miles north of the accident spot is due to begin next week.

The scheme, organised by the Scottish Executive and Bear Scotland, will start on Monday, and will result in over 40 days of roadworks and traffic light operations between Parbroath and Rathillet. Resurfacing, widening of the carriageway and drainage improvements will be included in the work, and vehicles will pass through the affected sections in convoys. A spokesman said some traffic disruption and delay is to be expected.