The latest response from the Council has really crystallised the main issue, for me at least, of negotiating the A985 - the main trunk road from the A90/Forth Road Bridge to Kincardine Bridge that cuts through Rosyth and passes many of the West Fife villages. It seems clear that the first issue for anyone, never mind a child getting to school, coming out of the villages and heading in any direction is the A985. I replied (sent 18 June - I'm little behind):
Thanks once again for you detailed response (and XX's additional comments). I really do appreciate the time you and XX have taken to make not only detailed replies but ones that are honest and candid about the difficulties of making high quality provision for cycling. It is, of course, a political problem at national and local level that prioritises car journeys and fails to make even the most basic provision for cycling, especially what is now called utility cycling. I hope you're right that the political perception of cycling is changing. Certainly I have had some encouraging feedback from Labour at a UK and Scotland level (where they are not of course in power) which has implications for how Labour councils should fund cycling. I'll add that to my blog and make sure that my local councillors are aware of it. Also, Councillor Gavin Yates has been in touch, prompted I think by the Labour Party in Scotland, and offered to ride any routes with me. He's a cyclist but not a councillor in my ward but I'll take him up on that offer and hopefully cover the route from Limekilns to Halbeath that we have been discussing and also the route between Woodmill and Limekilns, which would cover the roads and junctions my son would need to ride to high school. It hasn't been arranged but perhaps you and/or Scott would like to join us?
In the meantime it would be good to hear from Mr Walker, who has been silent since passing my original email to Murray for a response and to Doreen to 'mind'. I recall that he offered to contact the appropriate person within the Scottish Government. Given the significant role of the A985 and Transport Scotland's budgeting in frustrating developments to cycling routes around the trunk roads, it is perhaps time for contact with the Scottish Government to be made. We can bat emails back and forth endlessly but significant improvement hinges on Transport Scotland. Perhaps Doreen would raise that with Mr Walker.
As you might expect, I have some further questions and comments on your response.
Limekilns foreshore - Is there a timescale for improving the path? And has there been any discussion with the community council?
Primrose Road - Given the ownership, I entirely agree with your approach to maintaining this path. Perhaps it would be possible modify the drainage since the main problem is the giant puddle that develops at the path's lowest point and to agree with the estate to modify its access to the fields off Primrose Road to limit the extent to which agricultural vehicles churn it up.
Shared path along the A985 - From my perspective, the A985 is the major problem that needs to be addressed with Transport Scotland. There are several elements to this: crossing from the Limekilns junction to the pavement on the other side and the lack of a proper pedestrian/cyclist refuge in the middle. The lack of a dropped kerb on the north side. Even walking the bike and trailer would be much easier with a dropped kerb. The lack of a path from the Limekilns junction to the shared path at Bruce Haven. I know there is the foreshore path but given its condition and the greater difficulty of crossing at Brucehaven, the Limekilns junction would be preferable. In any case, the path along the foreshore that goes up Windylaws is not called Cardiac Hill around here for nothing.
It is also quite absurd that the path from Hilton Road and Kings Road is not shared use. With minimal improvement - trimming back the grass that encroaches on the pavement, sweeping the grit and glass - that footpath would be ideal. If it was joined to the Limekilns junction it would be perfect. At one level it doesn't really matter since I'll continue to cycle on it but it would be better if it were legal.
Rosyth Station / Pitreavie Roundabouts - could you clarify where the shared use section starts between these two? I don't think there is any signage. It doesn't really affect me because if I have my daughter on her tagalong or trailer we'll be on the pavement regardless and if I'm on my own I'll be on the road but it would be good to know just in case we are challenged. Signage might encourage other people to use it.
I partially take your point about having to compromise on trailer space but the politicians will need to realise that if they want to increase the proportion of journeys made by bike, they are going to have to accommodate not just solo cyclists but families including trailers, tagalongs and (if the trend continues) cargo bikes. The guidelines were written for a world with bikes never mind trailers. In any case, even cycling with children on their own bikes needs more space. Adults need to position themselves behind and to the right of children just to create the space that children need to be safe and confident. The tendency to create token lanes of 1.5m isn't going to create the feeling of safety that novice cyclists need.
I hope you don't mind me saying that I find your last paragraph refreshingly candid. You are, of course, absolutely right - it is politicians and not officers who allocate budgets and I'm happy to do what I can to improve their understanding of the importance of providing for cycling and the benefits to communities.
Best wishes
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