MSP WELCOMES A92 IMPROVEMENTS
Published date : 14 Jan 2021
Scottish Government investment in safety improvements follows compelling case made by Jenny Gilruth MSP working with the local community
Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has welcomed Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland’s plans to begin vital safety improvement work on A92 at Star Road and Western Avenue Junctions in February 2021.
Improvements to be completed include a proposed pedestrian crossing and footway realignment at the Star Road Junction; extensions to proposed left and right turn lanes at Star junction; and a pedestrian crossing at the Western Avenue junction.
The programme of works is expected to last a minimum of 12 weeks in total and should be completed by April. BEAR Scotland have taken steps with a view to minimise disruption to motorists us much as possible during construction, and the timetable could be amended depending on weather conditions and Covid-19 restrictions and these will be kept under review.
The plans from Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland follows the local politician’s involvement in the campaign to make the A92 safer for pedestrians and drivers since being elected in 2016.
In December 2020, the MSP arranged a virtual community meeting with Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland for an update on plans for the A92 agreed before lockdown.
In March 2020, Jenny had hosted a meeting between North Glenrothes Community Council and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, Michael Matheson MSP, to discuss ongoing road improvements to the A92 locally.
At that meeting, Transport Scotland officials informed members of the Community Council that work to improve pedestrian access on the A92 is expected to be carried out by the end of the current financial year.
In May 2019, a survey to assess improvements at the Balfarg and Cadham junctions was undertaken by Transport Scotland following a site visit from Mr Matheson’s predecessor arranged by Jenny in 2018. A decision to increase safety provisions was announced soon after.
Welcoming the confirmed improvement work, Jenny Gilruth MSP said:
“I have been working closely with the local community, including Glenrothes Futures Group and North Glenrothes Community Council, since 2016 to make a compelling case for improving the A92 junctions in Glenrothes. I’m delighted that the Scottish Government Transport Secretary listened to our case and has taken decisive action to improve safety on the A92 for road users and pedestrians. I know the investment in this improvement work will be welcomed by everyone in the community.
“Looking beyond this work, there are other areas of the A92 as it passes through alongside Glenrothes that still require to be looked at, including at the Bankhead Roundabout and at Leven Bridge. I will continue to liaise with Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland as the work at the junctions gets underway next month and to ensure work is progressed as quickly as possible. I am really grateful to Glenrothes Futures Group and to the Community Council for their persistent work on highlighting the need for these essential improvements to the A92”.
ENDS
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