Glenrothes councillors have pledged their support for action over the A92, despite fears competing priorities could result in much-needed improvements taking months – if not years – to come to fruition.
Members of the town’s area committee have once more backed the efforts of local campaigners to make the route safer following a presentation by Ron Page, chairman of the North Glenrothes Community Council.
But while elected members supported Mr Page’s assertion that now is an
“optimum time” to remind Transport Minister Derek Mackay of the need for improvements and upgrading in light of high-profile accidents, there was an acknowledgment that work to make the A9 safer may figure higher on the
Scottish Government’s agenda.
Nevertheless, Mr Page has pledged to continue fighting for improvements – particularly at the five hot-spots previously identified, notably at the
Balfarg and Cadham junctions.
“We know that this two-mile stretch of road beside Glenrothes is not fit for purpose,” Mr Page told the committee.
“North Glenrothes Community Council and the Glenrothes Area Futures Group identified five hazards on the A92 at Glenrothes, but these five hazards still remain, despite Bear Scotland patching, patching, patching.
“The A92 action plan is with the minister (Mr Mackay) and we are awaiting a response.”
Mr Page wanted the area committee to “reaffirm” its support for the Fife A92 action plan, although local councillor John Beare pointed out councillors had not actually had a chance to scrutinise the document properly.
“I support the aim to upgrade the A92, I think we all do, but we can’t reaffirm our support for something we haven’t affirmed our support for,” he said.
Mr Beare added that Mr Mackay could not now make any recommendations to the committee on the A92 until after the election, pointing out that he had received the plan just a day or so before purdah began.
Fellow SNP member Ross Vettraino added: “We have to be realistic and
realise that the A92 has its place in a long list of priorities, top of which is the A9.”
Labour’s Altany Craik stressed that the committee could not just sit and “wring our hands” on the matter, adding: “The disappointment is that Derek Mackay has been slower out of the gates than we would have liked.”
His colleague John Wincott stressed that while he sympathised with councillors who had to deal with the A9, his main focus was Glenrothes and the A92.
“Whoever the transport minister is after the election, he or she has now got a clear message from Glenrothes area committee to say that we want this looked at and we want it now,” he said.
