RESIDENTS of Hill of Beath hope that a local councillor can get plans approved to control speed past their homes before a serious accident claims a life.

The residents from Tavern Cottages packed a meeting room at the village community centre to hear Councillor Peter Lockhart map out a strategy which could stop cars hurtling along the B981 at 60mph or faster.

The public meeting heard residents talk about at times finding it almost impossible to safely drive away from their homes due to fast moving traffic.

And it was not just cars which were abusing the speed limit, they claimed, but also lorries, vans and buses.

The meeting also was told that a survey statistic had indicated that upwards of 2000 vehicles used the road in any one day but they were worried that police speed watches were not having much affect.

John Park, one of the residents who has been actively campaigning for speed reduction measures on this busy stretch of road, said, “Make no mistake it seems that too few drivers are prepared to adhere to the speed limit but the fact that it is currently 60mph leading up to our homes has a marked affect on the pace that they pass our houses at.

“We need some sort of traffic calming measures, whether it be speed cushions, just something to make vehicles take more notice that they are passing homes with young children in them.” There were other points made about the problems that Tavern Cottages residents face when trying to drive away from their homes with cars racing by and Mr Park added, “I only hope something can be done before a serious accident occurs which could claim someone’s life.

“The fact that I believe a police speed check recently caught six people inside one hour exceeding the limit in the vicinity shows there is very much a problem.” Councillor Lockhart said he had there was no doubt that there were clearly problems with speeding traffic on the road between Cowdenbeath and Crossgates and he felt that it was important that a solution was devised that would go through Cowdenbeath Area Committee.

“I think first and foremost that we need a solution to reduce the speed limit of the stretch between Cowdenbeath and Tavern Cottages to 40mph and then have the limit between there and Crossgates at 30mph,” he commented.

“We could also look at other possible measures such as speed cushions near the houses to ensure that drivers heed the limit.

“I feel that these ideas would get support from the committee.” The residents agreed to Mr Lockhart’s suggestions and he intends to get the matter put before the August meeting of the Area Committee.