SMITH CALLS FOR A92 IMPROVEMENTS RATHER THAN NE FIFE DUALLING

6.20.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 3rd Sep 2008

North East Fife MSP, Iain Smith has called on the Scottish Government to finish implementing the Route Accident Reduction Plan for the A92, which was instigated by previous Transport Ministers Tavish Scott and Nicol Stephen, which would improve the A92 through North East Fife much more than by extending the dual carriageway through it.

Speaking from the Holyrood debating chamber during a Members Debate on upgrading the A92, Mr Smith said, "A significant stretch of the A92, from New Inn to the Tay Road Bridge, runs through the heart of my North East Fife constituency, and I welcome the opportunity to that tonight's debate gives to raise some the road safety concerns on which I have been campaigning for many years.

"In the last 5 years there have been 4 fatal, 27 serious and 71 slight injury accidents on the A92 in North East Fife, although I am pleased to say that 2007 saw a reduction to 14 accidents and no fatalities. But 14 is 14 too many.

"The former Liberal Democrat Transport Ministers in the previous Scottish Government, Nicol Stephen and Tavish Scott, were responsible for developing and promoting a Route Accident Reduction Plan for the A92. Some of this plan has been implemented, most notably the extension of the 40mph speed limit at Freuchie, which has been the site of a number of accidents over the years. This together with improved signing, street lighting and vehicle activated warning signs at Freuchie and other accident black-spots like the Parbroath and Wormit junctions have I hope contributed to the reduction of accidents.

"But there are still significant schemes that have yet to progressed, and require a funding commitment from Scottish Ministers."

Mr Smith also drew the Transport Minister's attention to a proposal by Transport Scotland to stop up the gaps in the dual carriageway at Inverdovat and Station Brae at Newport on Tay, the approach road to the Tay Road Bridge.

"I am sure the Minister will be aware that there is substantial local opposition to this proposed closure, and it is probable that the traffic order will be subject to a local inquiry," said the MSP.

"The community has proposed an alternative to introduce a 50mph speed limit on this short stretch of dual carriageway, matching that on the Bridge itself. So far Transport Scotland has been unwilling to investigate this option, and I would ask the Minister if he would ask Transport Scotland to fully consider this option."

Mr Smith stated that dualling of the A92 between Preston and Balfarg has long been desired and that it is time that a full appraisal was carried out into this missing link in Fife's roads network.

He did however express his doubts about the case for the dualling of the A92 from New Inn to Melville Lodges, as proposed in the motion.

"I am sure that the residents of Freuchie and Ladybank whose homes would probably have to be demolished to allow for such a dualling would also be against this. In my view the priority for the A92 in North east Fife is not more dual carriageway, but completing the road safety improvements that I referred to earlier, and I look forward to the Minister's response."

ENDS