Fife council's Transportation Services are set to start a major road improvement project to create a ‘Green Corridor’ from Kirkcaldy High Street to the town’s bus and railway stations.

The project will begin on Monday 30 May, 2011, and is expected to take up to 20 weeks to complete (until Sunday 16 October, 2011).

The Scottish Government encourages the reallocation of road space to encourage more sustainable modes of travel such as walking, cycling and public transport, and this is the first main scheme of this kind in Kirkcaldy.

The Green Corridor is the main route for pedestrians and cyclists linking the railway station, bus station, High Street and Esplanade. On the route are many important destinations including Adam Smith Theatre and College, Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery and the main council offices.

The route is extremely busy with many pedestrians current finding it difficult to cross the road safely at the Adam Smith roundabout.

-- Advertisement --

These difficulties will be resolved during these improvements by the introduction of traffic lights which will include a dedicated pedestrian phase. An additional pedestrian crossing will be constructed at just south of the bus station exit, and the road will also be narrowed to accommodate a wider foot/cycle path. The footpath will also be resurfaced with high quality Caithness paving.

Two-way traffic flows will be maintained for the majority of this project; however temporary traffic lights will be in operation from 9.30am- 3.30pm during some of the works. This has been designed to minimise inconvenience to road users during peak traffic times.

There will be a need for some weekend closures along Wemyssfield, Hunter Street, Hunter Place and at the crossroads further into the project to protect the health and safety of the workforce and the public while the resurfacing work is being carried out. These closures will be advertised in advance and will enable the project to be completed much more quickly than would be possible using temporary traffic lights only.

Access for the emergency services will be maintained at all times. Access for residents and to businesses will be maintained at the contractor’s discretion.

Please allow extra time on your journey in case of delays to bus services operating between 9.30am- 3.30pm, while the temporary traffic lights are in operation. Diversions will be in place during any weekend closures but more information about these will be advertised in advance.

Every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience to road users and any disruption will be kept to a minimum.

(GK)