Fife Council admits 'learning curve' after controversial Methil roadworks spark backlash

Fife Council officials have confirmed lessons have been learned after controversial roadworks in Methil sparked a major community backlash.

Members of Levenmouth Area Committee held a special meeting seeking answers on the active travel scheme project on Methilhaven Road and Sea Road.

The scheme, which includes traffic lights replacing the previous roundabout, has led to disruption in the area and, back in November, attracted anger from locals affected by the work.

Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages councillor Tom Adams said communications had been a major issue throughout the roadworks process.

“When you have a line of 26 businesses and we send them a letter saying we are going to start and we send that letter two days before we start the work, that is absolutely terrible,” he said.

“We have to get really better than that.

“The money getting spent in this area is more than welcome. We have been needing it for that long it is unbelievable. It really improves the area, not yet, but we have to get better in communications and that, for me, is the biggest problem we have.”

Leven, Kennoway and Largo councillor, Eugene Clarke, added: “In general, my concerns are that this is essentially a communication problem.

“Noone is questioning the whole concept benefit and active travel.”

Councillor Ken Caldwell, who represents Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages, said attention should be paid to who was told about the works.

“I think one of the main things about the communication is as well as the timing and the effect as to the breadth of who is informed,” he said.

“One of the aims is looking at how we can improve things for the future. The main thing for me is how we have been informed about it.

“It is good to see investment in the area and it will make a difference.”

Leven, Kennoway and Largo councillor, David Alexander, added: “What we are seeing at the moment is a lot of money getting spent but no end result yet. We want to see a visualisation of the end result so folk can see what is coming.

“This has been approved, we got millions of pounds because it is a positive thing. It is a good thing but we need to show folk that.”

Fife Council service manager for roads and lighting contracts, Mark Dewar, confirmed the traffic lights were due to be in operation by mid-February.

He conceded lessons were being learned.

“We have taken on board the concerns that were raised,” he said. “We appreciate that communication processes could be improved through longer lead in times to the community and the businesses and we are looking to improve the general communication for communities and stakeholders.

“What we have been using is an electronic system to deliver letters. We do appreciate that we missed some of the businesses.

“That was an oversight by ourselves but it has been an extensive learning curve for us.

“We are looking at the communication and how we can improve that.”

Committee convener, councillor Alistair Suttie, concluded: “Going forward, I am looking forward to improving the whole communication process on this project.”

As parts of efforts to improve general communication, the Levenmouth Reconnected Task Group is also set to be reintroduced.

Council officers also agreed to a request from councillor Anne Marie Caldwell to look into the possibility of barriers being added to the project to help allay safety fears.

She said: “Having worked with young people for as long as I can remember, I know they come out of schools and they are on their phones and thinking about their chips and curry sauce and they are going for their lunch and they might not carry on round to the traffic lights.

“I know other areas we have barriers that guide them round. I have spoken to locals and they have the same thought.”