Residents campaigning for safety measures on a notorious road used as a rat run through a Glenrothes suburb have welcomed a public consultation on finding a solution.
For years motorists have used Woodside Way as a means of bypassing heavy traffic on the A92 through the town, often travelling well in excess of the 20 and 30mph limits in the heavily populated precinct.
Residents have long held fears for children having to cross the road on their to several schools in the area including Carelton Primary and Auchmuty High School.
And with Fife Council’s current re-think of designated walking routes to school to include Woodside Way in any future proposals, parents say they the safety concerns can no longer be ignored.
“It’s been a big problem for several decades and despite the issue being raised time and time again, nothing ever seems to get done,” said Norman Dick, chairman of Woodside Tenants & Residents group.
“It’s long been a nightmare for those folk living here.
“If it isn’t motorists travelling at high speed and with a total disregard for the limits, it’s the congestion at peak times at several bottleneck areas which blocks residents from getting out of several side roads in and out of the estate.
“Add to that the concerns about children having to cross Woodside Way to get to school, improving safety is the number one priority among residents in this area.”
The group has now called for several roads in and out of the housing area, including Happer Crescent, Bighty Avenue and Carseggie Crescent to be made one way, with a range of other traffic calming measures to be proposed for Woodside Way.
Mr Dick is now urging residents to back a 12-week traffic consultation on possible improvements which is to start in September.
“We welcome the consultation and knowing the depth of feeling locally I’m confident resident will overwhelming back any improvement proposals.”
The chance for locals to consult with the council’s transport officers follows the request by Labour councillor for the area, Derek Noble.
He said: “I didn’t full appreciate the level of frustration among residents until a recent ward visit where I was approached by dozens of residents all calling for the roads to be made safer.
“So I took those concerns to the Council’s transportation department and I’m pleased to see that have acted on them.
“I have no doubt that the consultation will lead to long overdue improvement to the roads in Woodside which, if approved, could be in place as soon as spring 2020.”