IT was interesting to read about the plans to try and control the speed of traffic on the B981 between Crossgates and Cowdenbeath.

At one time this was one of the busiest roads in the county. First of all it was part of the link road with the Forth Road Bridge and then, before the opening of the A92 East Fife Regional Road, it was the main link between west Fife and the central and eastern parts of the county.

But even now it is a busy road as can be discovered by driving in either direction at any time of day.

I noticed that the Tavern Cottage villagers talk about them having problems driving away from their homes due to the volume of speeding vehicles and that has to be a frightening experience.

Councillor Peter Lockhart’s ideas to reduce the speed of traffic flow might well work but I think that more draconian methods are needed.

Forget 40mhp, make the B981 30mph in its entirety. It is a very open stretch of road for a couple of miles and people can be encouraged by that to get up to 60mph.

I would say that if you make the road an extension of Broad Street and Crossgates Main Street then you would be ensuring that the speed limit would be maintained.

Now maybe there are byelaws that do not encourage such a move. I would say to that if imposing a 30mph limit the length of this road improves safety then it is a good move.

In the meantime the residents of Hill of Beath have to get on with it and villagers trying to get onto the B981 from the village Main Street have to take their lives in their hands and dodge the flying traffic.

Hopefully there will not be a serious accident but such is the speed of some of the road users that cannot be ruled out completely.

This is an important issue and hopefully the speed check people will be closely looking at this stretch of highway.

SPEED BUMP, Cowdenbeath