Speed Limit to Change on Fife Road Following Accidents

Strathore Road, a rural road in Fife outside Redford Cottages, will have its speed limit reduced to 40mph following a series of accidents. Local residents submitted a petition request to the Glenrothes Area Committee at a meeting on 18 March, 2026.

The petition, submitted by resident Clive Nisbet, had 71 signatures. At the meeting, Paul Casaldine, a local who lives at Redford Cottages, said that he witnessed thirteen accidents on Strathore Road since 2015.

“The most recent [accident] ended with a telegraph pole being struck,” Casaldine said, adding, “Half of it […] ended up on our back door, which we use all the time.”

However, residents are concerned that reducing the speed limit is not enough. Casaldine said that the accidents could be occurring at lower speeds than 60mph, and therefore, additional safety measures should be considered.

“They’re saying the average speed is 50.6 miles an hour,” Casaldine said. “The road’s speed is obviously 60 miles an hour. If this is the case, and I’m not doubting the stats, this proves that although it’s 60 miles an hour, the accidents are happening well under.”

Following discussion of the petition, the council agreed that Fife Council’s Roads and Transportation Services would “implement the previously agreed signage on Strathore Road,” “develop and submit a proposal detailing options for additional traffic calming measures,” and “undertake the necessary consultation to deliver the TRO [traffic regulation order] and traffic calming measures to be agreed at the next meeting of the Glenrothes Area Committee.”

Altany Craik, a councillor and member of the Glenrothes Area Committee, said the petition to reduce the speed limit was important due to the number of residents it affected. He said there would be improved safety measures for Strathore Road soon.

“The next steps are for the service to come forward with a design that covers speed limits, road surface treatments, and signage,” Craik said. “There will then be a Traffic Regulation Order to make the change in speed from the National speed limit to 40 mph.”

In the meantime, Craik urged locals to practice road safety, not only on Strathore Road but in general around Fife.

“While the process is ongoing, I would urge all road users to take care and drive safely to the road conditions,” Craik said, continuing, “Changes to roads (speed and interventions) [are] an ongoing process and [are] there to help us keep residents and drivers safe.”

Photo by Wikimedia Commons