Another detailed response from Fife Council picking on some of the questions left over from earlier emails. As usual, I've deleted references to individuals (and fixed some typos).
Sorry it's taken a while to get back to you, I've been on leave. In response to your further questions regarding cycling routes between Limekilns and Dunfermline and some of the issues you have raised with my colleague xxxxxx I would comment as follows:
Limekilns foreshore - When this route was originally put in in the 90s the whole path between Limekilns and Pattiesmuir was finished in an unbound dust surface. The surface along the foreshore was pretty good in those days (it was actually a tarmac surface) and was felt to not need further upgrading. When the section from the fore shore to Pattiesmuir was subsequently surfaced the fore shore section was left as, again, it was felt that the surface was OK. Since then it seems to have deteriorated significantly, hence our desire to upgrade it. As it is now a core path we have powers to do this without requiring agreement from the landowner
Primrose Road - this is in the ownership of Elgin Estates although it appears it was a public road at one time in the past. We have a number of such tracks promoted as cycle routes across Fife and the issue we have with them is that they are also farm and field accesses and get used by heavy agricultural traffic which cause all of the damage too them. Our agreement with the estate is to maintain it for passage by bicycles and not to repair damage by agricultural vehicles. In reality we do end up maintaining them for agricultural use as much as cycle use and as such we have tended to adopt a 'do minimum' policy - not ideal but its the only way we can avoid excessive expenditure on them. That said I think its fair that we re-visit Primrose road and carry out repairs if budgets allow.
Shared path along the A985 - The section between Hilton road and the path to Limekilns is shared use. Similarly the section between Waggon Road and Muirside Lane nr Cairneyhill is also shared use. In terms of our relationship with Transport Scotland we liaise regularly on roads and footways maintenance and we have a good dialogue with their strategic sustainable transport team but it is fair to say that we don't do any joint working on improving cycleway links on the trunk road network. There are a few outstanding projects we would like to see developed on the trunk roads in Fife but Transport Scotland do not seem to have a specific budget for this. We hope to address this issue and try to work more closely with Transport Scotland in the future as the trunk road does present a substantial barrier to various cycle routes in Fife.
Rosyth Station roundabout - In an ideal world this would be signalised with pedestrian / cycle phases provided. As it stands we have no budget for this at present, however we would hope to try to improve walking and cycling facilities as we develop the shared use route up Queensferry Road.
Pitreavie Roundabout - just to confirm the footway is designated as shared use round the roundabout (both sides) and up to the Toucan just to the north on Queensferry Road. We had hoped to widen the footways last year but Transport Scotland were just about to commence the works to install the new overhead signs for the Bridge so the project was delayed. This will get picked up once the sign works are complete.
In terms of trailer access we try and provide enough space at junctions and other features wherever possible but in many cases we can barely find space for cyclists. Road space re-allocation is the solution to this. We have done this in Kirkcaldy in a number of locations and received a large amount of criticism from members of public as a result! As time goes on such schemes will gain more public and political acceptance but until that time we have to accept compromises.
We consult and work closely with Sustrans, Cycling Scotland, the CTC and a number of local cyclists. The problem is that we are very much a minority and therefore cyclists receive little political attention and funding. At present there is zero budget for new cycleway schemes from Fife Council's Capital Resources. We get money direct from the government although this is shrinking year on year. Sustrans grants are on the increase thankfully but we still need to find match funding. Events such as 'Pedal on Parliament' have done a great job of raising the awareness of Politicians to cyclists needs and to make them see that cyclists are now a significant part of society. It looks like the funding tide may be turning so we can only hope that things will improve in the coming years. In the meantime public pressure on local and national politicians needs to continue, particularly given the new administration in Fife. Us Council Officers have only a limited influence in this respect!
I have to say that I'm impressed by the time these guys are spending answering my emails. In general, you get a sense of frustration with Transport Scotland and its distinct lack of interest in cycling. The last paragraph is interesting - badger the national and local politicians.
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