http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: £3.6M cycling investement for Fife en Wed, 13 May 2026 04:41:38 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170&page=2#post-151332 Thu, 01 May 2014 12:43:12 +0000 cb 151332@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"I know others will disagree with me but I see their logic in getting the path built while compromising these 50m. I don't know if moving the road North was too expensive or if the residents (rightly) refused to have their gardens shortened but for the sake of a few miles of wide segregated path I'll slow down and pootle along this bit."</em></p> <p>I tend to agree with that. Most of the rest of the route is actually pretty decent. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170&page=2#post-151207 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 18:23:31 +0000 chdot 151207@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> Dunfermline &amp; West Fife Local Plan<br /> As modified/intend to adopt, October 2012</p> <p>2.20 The Local Plan will promote sustainable communities through:<br /> • Identifying sites which encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to work, school and community facilities, either in individual settlements or collectively across a number of neighbouring communities;<br /> • Improving travel choices through promoting public transport and the development of non-vehicular links such as footpaths and cycleways with Fife’s Cycling Strategy and in conjunction with the Core Paths Network;<br /> • Supporting new development which minimises or mitigates environmental impact, including moving towards low or zero carbon development;<br /> • Supporting the provision of private garden ground and land for allotments;<br /> • Securing energy efficiency and conservation measures in all development;<br /> • Encouraging a range of technologies for renewable energy generation,<br /> including shared sources of energy;</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://publications.1fife.org.uk/uploadfiles/publications/c64_Intendtoadoptdocument.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://publications.1fife.org.uk/uploadfiles/publications/c64_Intendtoadoptdocument.pdf</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170&page=2#post-151205 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 18:18:03 +0000 chdot 151205@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This post has just been filled -</p> <p>"</p> <p>The Cycling Development Officer will be line managed by the Physical Activity &amp; Legacy Manager and be a key member of Active Fife. You will support the development of cycling in Fife by identifying opportunities and gaps in provision and work in partnership with Cycling Scotland, Scottish Cycling, community groups, clubs and other organisations to deliver the outcomes of the Fife Cycling Strategy for people of all ages and at all life stages. You should have a degree or equivalent in sports development or a related subject. Also you should have the ability to travel within Fife. Before confirming appointment you will have to become a member of the relevant PVG Scheme.</p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170&page=2#post-151203 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 17:45:48 +0000 chdot 151203@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> Fife Council (@FifeCouncil)<br /> 30/04/2014 15:18<br /> @CyclingEdin Hi, I have passed all the comments to the team that deal with the cycle routes in Fife. Nicola</p> <p>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170&page=2#post-151188 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:40:00 +0000 acsimpson 151188@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not according to <a href="http://www.scottishboundaries.gov.uk/mapbrowser.asp">http://www.scottishboundaries.gov.uk/mapbrowser.asp</a></p> <p>I know others will disagree with me but I see their logic in getting the path built while compromising these 50m. I don't know if moving the road North was too expensive or if the residents (rightly) refused to have their gardens shortened but for the sake of a few miles of wide segregated path I'll slow down and pootle along this bit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170&page=2#post-151182 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:24:59 +0000 minus six 151182@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson</p> <p>Tip of the iceberg. Fife council seem to be actually <em>proud</em> of this kind of thing, its all tallied up as a national success story...</p> <p>Mind you, that example appears to be Clackmannanshire </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151181 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:19:42 +0000 acsimpson 151181@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"traffic free route is Fife Council speak for "shared-pavement giving way to private driveways and junctions every few yards", more often than not."</em></p> <p>Such as here:<a href="http://goo.gl/maps/AJ9xB">http://goo.gl/maps/AJ9xB</a> - a section which sadly spoils what is otherwise a fairly excellent part of many Tour de Forths. Google seem to have found a couple of cyclist who agree and take the road instead. It also always seems to be the point where I meet other cyclists. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151179 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:15:31 +0000 Instography 151179@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you needed a lot of journeys you'd probably be wise to consider the sorts of short trips people make once or twice a day rather than once or twice a week. You know, things like commuting rather than leisure. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151178 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 16:13:13 +0000 crowriver 151178@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Fife Council plan to do hee haw about the A985, it being a trunk road and therefore the responsibility of Transport Scotland.</em></p> <p>Get onto Transport Scotland? Make common cause with your (car driving) neighbours who can't turn right?</p> <p>A signalled junction into Limekilns would be a start. Maybe a shared use on the north side as far as Limekilns Road? Already some kind of pavement on part of it, IIRC. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151176 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 15:55:15 +0000 crowriver 151176@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@amir, aye but that's who most folk in Fife will have heard of. Mebbes they ken Wiggo too, but I doubt it.</p> <p>There's more:</p> <p><em>To reach our CAPS 10% target, every adult in Fife (16 – 60 yrs) would need to do about 6 cycle trips a week..….<br /> National statistics (2009/10) reported that cycle trips per person was 9 per year! </em></p> <p>Well I'm sure a few off-road, mainly leisure routes will sort that out. Maybe by 2020 there'll be a dozen more across Fife on top of the half a dozen being built/improved in the next two years. That ought to deliver 35 times more cycle trips by 2020, no problem.</p> <p>To be fair, I suppose we ought to applaud the fact that:<br /> a - 10% is seen as a target not just a "shared vision" or "aspiration".<br /> b - Fife Council are actually doing something. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151171 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 15:27:12 +0000 Instography 151171@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I should probably read that and spend some time mocking them. Five miles. My wee boy was complaining that we hadn't cycled from home for POP this year like we did last year. Mind you, he'd changed his tune by the time we were back at Ratho and his legs were sore. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151168 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 15:09:43 +0000 amir 151168@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Chris Hoy wasn't well known for going more than 5 miles! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151166 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:48:02 +0000 crowriver 151166@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Fife's emphasis seems to me to be very much on leisure and family cycling.</em></p> <p>Well of course. Everybody knows if you want to get to work, go shopping, or take the kids somewhere, you need a car. I mean come on, are you one of these weirdo tree huggers, or a cycling "enthusiast" or something?</p> <p>OTOH, according to the Fife Council 'Cycle Dunfermline' document:</p> <p>"In Fife, we’ve estimated that around 58% of trips are less than 5<br /> miles. These are trips that could be cycled easily by many people."</p> <p>Does that include commuting, shopping and going to the pictures/theatre/park? Possibly.</p> <p>OTOOH, though:</p> <p> "We need to exclude trips over 5 miles (42%) from our estimation of what the CAPS vision mean to us all. "</p> <p>Aye, because I mean you can't expect anyone other than "keen cycling enthusiasts" to ride a bike further than 5 miles. That's a long way you know! We're not all Chris Hoy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151163 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:45:30 +0000 crowriver 151163@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aye I was checking that line out, as the bridge crosses the A985 so could be used by pedestrians/cyclists. On Google maps the line appears to run along to the west as far as Ironmill Bay, which I think is a naval armaments depot.</p> <p>So if it's anything like the Leuchars spur, the line is basically disused but kept "in reserve" in case of WW3. They might just need to move some nukes or depth charges on the sly via the railways. Or something like that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151159 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:37:53 +0000 Instography 151159@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@DaveC<br /> The railway line stopped at Charlestown harbour, servicing the harbour and the salt pans and lime kilns in that area. There would have been no room for it to get to Rosyth because of the houses along the front at Red Row and the old Rosyth churchyard further along. </p> <p>The route is described on Wikipedia as "the Elgin Railway that ran from the Colliery round Crossford and then down beside Waggon Road and on to Charlestown harbour" and sounds much like what you can still see on Google maps. Now that the coal freight to the power station doesn't come through Dunfermline there might be scope to free up that line between Dunfermline and Longannet. Certainly between Dunfermline and Charlestown it's already overgrown and abandoned. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151157 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:36:54 +0000 DaveC 151157@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Fife's emphasis seems to me to be very much on leisure and family cycling. Tootling on a Sunday afternoon at a ceremonial pace - certainly no faster than a child with stabilisers."</p> <p>Thisn is very muich my take on things, but hopefully with the new route along Queensferry Road (however 'off road' it is classes as), its a move in the right direction towards commuter routes. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151153 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:20:58 +0000 Instography 151153@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There's a separate bit of lobbying being done by the community council over the Limekilns junction - the speed and volume of traffic, the accidents as people try to make right turns out of the village etc. </p> <p>Fife's emphasis seems to me to be very much on leisure and family cycling. Tootling on a Sunday afternoon at a ceremonial pace - certainly no faster than a child with stabilisers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151148 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:08:10 +0000 DaveC 151148@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looking at the railway line which goes from Charlestown round to Dunfermline, its a shame we can't get NR to hand this over for a path. I see the old line used to go into Charlestown and I suspect all the way to Rosyth, but has been cut short in the new (1970's) housing development at West Harbour Road. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151147 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:57:42 +0000 minus six 151147@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>traffic free route</em> is Fife Council speak for "shared-pavement giving way to private driveways and junctions every few yards", more often than not. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151146 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:52:52 +0000 crowriver 151146@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>From DaveC's link...</p> <p>Dunfermline plans:</p> <p><em>Once additional funding is secured, we plan to invest nearly £1.5m on cycling infrastructure in the first 2 years, including the key improvements of:<br /> A traffic free route from the south to the city centre, via Queensferry Road<br /> Improvements to the Linburn corridor<br /> Improved city centre routes, linking the parks and the city centre<br /> An improved, traffic free, east – west route through Dunfermline, along Carnegie Drive<br /> Establish a traffic free route adjacent to William Street </em></p> <p>Presume the additional funding came from Sustrans. Rest of cash on free cycle training in schools and for grown ups too. Looks like Insto and I will be waiting at least another 2 years for A985 crossings...</p> <p>Glenrothes:</p> <p><em>Once additional funding is secured, we plan to invest nearly £1.5m on cycling infrastructure in the first 2 years, including the key improvements of:<br /> Traffic free routes to the Michael Woods sport centre<br /> Establish a traffic free route from Pitcairn to Balfarg<br /> Upgrade traffic free routes through Riverside Park</em></p> <p>Plus the free bike training etc.</p> <p>Other infrastructure includes:</p> <p><em>Lochgelly to Ballingry cycle route - £340k<br /> Kirkcaldy cycleway link - £80k.</em> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151144 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:46:43 +0000 crowriver 151144@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>a new path from Glenrothes to the Michesal Woods Sports centre I beleive? I have asked it they could extend to the rail halt at Glenrothes with Thornton.</em></p> <p>Aye, that would be useful. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151141 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:43:18 +0000 crowriver 151141@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aye, DaveC I know that path, and have used it many times. It's great if you're pootling with the family and want the scenic views from Limekilns prom. A bit of a detour though if you're heading to points west. </p> <p>Still doesn't resolve how to cross the damned A985 to get to Limekilns Road, or Waggon Road. So if you're geading to Crossford or Dunfermline you're in for a hard time.</p> <p>Don't get me wrong, I've cycled on the A985 on a number of occasions. It's just a really fast road, and usually pretty busy too, with plenty of HGVs in the mix of traffic. Often I'll head up the road to Cairneyhill, thence to Oakley. After the Elgin railway bridge there is a path on the south side which is quite usable, but nowt before that. Trying to turn right onto Limekilns Road, or Waggon Road during peak traffic flow counts as some of the scarier bits of road cycling I've done, and on balance wouldn't really care to repeat. Each time in dry clear conditions too. Which is a pity because once you are on the other side of the A985, those two roads are not bad at all for cycling. Even the A985 itself can be sort of okay at weekends, and mid-morning once peak commute time has subsided.</p> <p>It really needs a pedestrian crossing of some sort though, probably two. One each at Pattiesmuir and Limekilns Road would probably do the trick. Another at Waggon Road would be nice. Just think, local residents would be able to walk and cycle to neighbouring settlements, and get about without needing their cars or a bus. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151140 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:39:38 +0000 chdot 151140@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Check!!</p> <p><a href="http://twitter.com/KeefyF/status/461476160371560448/photo/1”" rel="nofollow">http://twitter.com/KeefyF/status/461476160371560448/photo/1”</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151136 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:18:28 +0000 DaveC 151136@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Do you mean this stretch?</p> <p><a href="http://goo.gl/maps/B7FUF" rel="nofollow">http://goo.gl/maps/B7FUF</a></p> <p>It is lacking in cycling/pedestrian paths on the south side. But there is a path here:</p> <p><a href="http://goo.gl/maps/hqJfj" rel="nofollow">http://goo.gl/maps/hqJfj</a></p> <p>which links the path to the east of A (on the map) and Hilton Road.</p> <p>From my councillor freind (who is looking out any Fife Council Exec statements), there is to be a cycle path from Rosyth to Dunfermline, and a new path from Glenrothes to the Michesal Woods Sports centre I beleive? I have asked it they could extend to the rail halt at Glenrothes with Thornton.</p> <p>On Topic:</p> <p>Found this via a search on Fife Website:</p> <p><a href="http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.display&amp;objectid=4C0E3A41-D939-B6C0-5CB49328EF8C4025" rel="nofollow">http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.display&amp;objectid=4C0E3A41-D939-B6C0-5CB49328EF8C4025</a></p> <p>Cycling in Fife gets a £5m boost</p> <p>(I don't know if  is some secret multiplying factor less than one?) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151135 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:11:19 +0000 Instography 151135@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My understanding, through my own contact with them (which I've allowed to drift) and others is that Fife Council plan to do hee haw about the A985, it being a trunk road and therefore the responsibility of Transport Scotland. </p> <p>I'd be very happy if they did something around Limekilns. That's where I live and there's no place to cross the road safely between the Kings Road roundabout in Rosyth and the Kindcardine Bridge. Because it's a trunk road and that would slow down all the cars. Even the little gritty, glassy margin between the white line and the pavement (all hail the Marathon Plus) disappears leading up to Limekilns so you're right in the traffic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151133 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:01:22 +0000 crowriver 151133@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A bit of friendly rivalry between neighbouring councils on who can spend more on cycling? What's not to like?</p> <p>I pass through Fife every week on the train. I have relatives living o'er the watter too. I cycle in the Kingdom frequently. If Fife Council want to spend money on cycling, I'm not going to argue.</p> <p>Just one big ask: please, please Fife Council do something about the A985 near Limekilns. A pedestrian/cyclist footbridge, maybe. A signalled junction. Extend the shared use path alongside the road on the southern side. SOMETHING. Because it's an intimidating, hazardous stretch of road just now with no decent alternative, and no easy way to get across the darn thing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151130 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 12:55:54 +0000 acsimpson 151130@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@baldycyclist<br /> Yes I was referring to the <a href="http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/minisites/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&amp;siteID=B389171C-0A3E-85C7-60DB67AABEB26D08&amp;pageid=B38A1FA2-ABAD-E135-314B34F4129205C1">cycleways site</a> using council jargon.<br /> My worry about their traffic free route from the South of Dunfermline is that it will just be the pavements adjacent to the dual carriageway with no easy way to cross the roundabouts. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151127 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 12:49:59 +0000 minus six 151127@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Far too much "shared-pavement" garbage masquerading as infrastructure in South East Fife. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151124 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 12:39:05 +0000 Baldcyclist 151124@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I may have mentioned elsewhere too, but I think Fife needs a 'Spokes Fife' type of organisation. Or expand 'Make Your Move kirkcaldy' to become Fife wide.</p> <p>Its all very well throwing money at something, but if you don't know where to throw it you may as well burn it. I'm not sure if Fife is as well served by 'stakeholder' groups as perhaps Edinburgh and the Lothian's are... May give some focus as to *where* the money is needed. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12170#post-151121 Wed, 30 Apr 2014 12:32:47 +0000 Baldcyclist 151121@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> their cycle minisite<br /> "</p> <p>Do you have a linkie for that? Or are you refering to the 'cycleways' website?</p> <p>"<br /> Fife aims to be the first council to spend 5% of its transport budget<br /> "</p> <p>I'll help spread that rumour around, if we say it loud enough, and often enough maybe it will be real? Is there a timescale for that investment? </p>