£1.5m to improve safety of community link paths

Almost £1.5m is being spent on the construction of three major multi use paths in Fife. These paths are designed to keep path users away from fast moving traffic, allowing safer passage between communities.

The pathways will link Crossgates and Fordell Firs, then on to Dalgety Bay; Kinghorn and Burntisland - part of National Cycle Route 76; and Thornton to Glenrothes - part of National Cycle Route 766.

Between Crossgates and Fordell Firs the 3m wide pedestrian/ cyclist/ equestrian path will follow the line of the B981, a distance of approximately 3km. The new path will link up to the existing multi-use track from Hillend and Dalgety Bay, 2km away. From Dalgety Bay there are links to the National Cycle Network at the shoreline, and west to Inverkeithing. The route also links to Dunfermline via the Aberdour Road cycle track across the M90. The cost of the works is £535,000.

Cyclists following National Cycle Route 76 between Burntisland and Kinghorn are currently using the carriageway which has a 40mph speed limit. The new 2.5km long pedestrian/cycle path will follow the line of the A921 and will allow the two communities, and users of the Pettycur Bay caravan site, to walk or cycle without traffic concerns. This work will run over two phases.. The first phase will be Kinghorn to Pettycur Bay Caravan Site and cost £292,000. Phase 2, Pettycur Bay to Burntisland, will then follow on.

The National Cycle Route 766 between Thornton and Glenrothes currently uses a narrow footway along Blackwood Road. This will be widened to 1.5m and be extended to the Eastfield Industrial Estate. This new pathway will give pedestrians and cyclists more space to pass each other. This is a popular route for commuter cyclist travelling between Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes. The cost of these works is £350,000.

Altany Craik, Fife Council's Convener, Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning & Transportation Committee, said: "All these projects are due to be completed by late Spring this year. These are popular routes that will improve access for commuters and visitors. Linking up more of the National Network Routes across Fife will help active travel between communities, improve access to rural roads and lanes, and link up the core path network."