FIFE Council is anxious that a Lochgelly road remains the statutory width.

Concerns were raised with the authority that the carriageway of The Avenue was being reduced and now the developers are to ensure that the six metres width ruling is adhered to.

McKenzie Crescent resident Paul McGowan contacted Fife Council after he noticed the road appeared to be narrowing with works on the north side of the road, through the construction of the new housing development in the field near Lochgelly Public Park.

Mark Barratt, Lead Officer Transportation Development Management (South Fife), took up the query and indeed discovered changes in the width.

Mark Barratt told Councillor Linda Erskine: "Prior to Mr McGowan lodging his complaint, Scott McKechnie of Easy Living Developments, contacted me to advise that the new footway on the north side of The Avenue has resulted in the carriageway width reducing to 5.5 metres, rather than the required 6 metres in accordance with the draft Construction Consent and planning condition.

"The ground workers located the new carriageway kerb in a position to ensure an existing water main would be below the new footway, rather than the carriageway kerb. However, such a change should not have been made without the permission of Fife Council as roads and planning authority.

"Easy Living Developments have been advised that I cannot accept the narrowing of the carriageway and that The Avenue carriageway shall be provided with a minimum width of 6 metres over the entire frontage of their site".

He added that Easy Living Developments had been back in touch to say that they would retain the recently laid kerbs, etc. on the north side of The Avenue and provide the 6 metres wide carriageway by widening on the south side of the existing road "This would require the relocation of the existing kerb line and reconstruction of the footway. These works can be carried out within the boundary of the existing public road, which includes a verge to the rear of the footway.

"The widening shall avoid sudden changes in the kerb line and would require the approval of my Roads Network Management colleagues. A detailed design shall be submitted for approval prior to works starting".

He added: "The developer intends to carry out the works at the same time as installing new street lighting columns on the south side of The Avenue".

The cost of the work is to be met by the developers, which Mr McGowan has welcomed as has Councillor Erskine.