Cardenden: Plans to introduce speed bumps have been canceled after criticism from residents

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Heavily criticized plans to put speed bumps on a deadly B-road were turned down by Fife advisers who said the measure would be ineffective.

The owners of the roads wanted to introduce a series of cushions on a 600-meter section of the B981 between Cluny and Cardenden, starting from the mini-roundabout junction with the B922 in Cluny.

However, elected members sided with residents who felt anything other than full-width “speed charts” would be ineffective, despite officials’ objections that they would be too expensive.

Cowdenbeath Region President Cllr Linda Erskine said: “The objection [from officers] are costs – and I think lives are worth more than any cost.

“I want the speed tables to be looked at. I have walked this road with friends and my mom lives on the other side – and the proposals won’t change a thing.

The Cluny-Cardenden road has been the scene of several accidents in recent years, including one fatal in 2014 in which a 36-year-old man died.

Locals dispute that speed bumps wouldn’t do much to slow motorcycles, which can squeeze between cushions, or buses, trucks, and modern 4x4s with suspension that soaks up small bumps.

Full-width speed tables, often painted as crosswalks, force vehicles of all kinds to slow down.

Ken Gourlay, transport manager, said full-width bumps are too expensive to be justified while roads technician Keith Johnston said drivers were “struggling” to keep their speeds below the existing limit of 30. mph.

However, they failed to convince city councilors of their plans – especially those who had visited the site to see the speeds reached by some motorists.

Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty Labor Cllr Mary Lockhart said: “I have watched several SUVs run down the road and they have no problem rolling on a raised pad.”

Her SNP roommate, Cllr Rosemary Liewald, added: “I have seen the speed at which we have drivers using this road and it terrifies residents in and around the area.

Cllr Erskine noted that residents, while keen to see measures introduced, were not convinced of the merits of the cushions.

“I have known people who have lost their lives there and people who regularly find cars in their hedges and gardens,” she noted.

“I don’t think the proposal has really recognized some of the issues here… and I want people to be happy that they have been fully consulted.”

Officers accepted the Cowdenbeath area committee’s recommendation to reconsider the proposals yesterday [Wednesday].

The advisers ‘revolt against the officers’ recommendations comes weeks after a 20 mph speed limit was removed in Markinch because drivers refused to obey it.

This sparked anger from local road safety groups, and transport official Altany Craik stepped in to deny that drivers were allowed to dictate council policies.

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