Adam Smith Roundabout, Kirkcaldy

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Jill McLean,

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Kirkcaldy

 

"Think Green" and only print this email if absolutely necessary

>>> J Mackie <[FOI #100249 email]> 1/12/2012 5:56
pm >>>
     Dear Fife Council,
    
     Please can you advise on the following questions relating to the
     controversial new roundabout at the Adam Smith Theatre in
     Kirkcaldy:
    
     How much the works cost the Fife tax payers?
    
     Who approved the project going forward?
    
     Was a consultation undertaken with residents, businesses, etc in
     relation to the proposals? If so, what was the feedback or results
     of that consultation?
    
     Was any analysis of the impacts of the changes undertaken in
     relation to increased congestion, impact on businesses in the town
     centre, increased travel time/disruption, increased 'rat running'
     through neighbouring residential streets to avoid the lights,
     increased polution (all the cars sitting waiting at the lights)..
    
     How many complaints has Fife Council received relating to the new
     junction to date? Conversely, how many compliments has Fife Council
     received relating to the new junction to date?
    
     What plans Fife Council have to rectify the situation? Are there
     any plans to return the roundabout which worked fine for many
     years?
    
     Please treat this as FOISA request if necessary, response through
     Whatdotheyknow.com is fine.
    
     Many thanks.
    
     Yours faithfully,
     J Mackie
    
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Dear J Mackie,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002 – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Thank you for your information request received on 13/01/2012 09:07 our reference: 1869. This is being dealt with in terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

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Yours sincerely,

Dear J Mackie

 

I refer to your correspondence raising concerns about the recent works
carried out at the above junction as part of the Green Corridor project

 

Projected costs for the full project are £830k

 

In terms of consultation, community groups and transport operators have
been included at all stages, with specific consultation events including:

 

o Fife wide Area Transport Plan (ATP) public & stakeholder consultations
2002-03 including Town House Kirkcaldy 21/01/03 (with Stagecoach
participation)

o Fife wide Area Transport Plan refresh public & stakeholder
consultations ‘Where You Live How You Travel’ 2009

o Annual Fife wide ATP/ATWP consultations on Works Programme and Capital
schemes

o Detailed scheme consultation with Ward members December 2010

o Detailed scheme consultation with Stagecoach and Community Council
February 2011

o Reported to Committee for necessary approvals in September 2009,
October 2009 and March 2011

 

The Green Corridor project is focussed on improving access for pedestrians
and cyclists on this important route between the railway station, bus
station and High Street area.  The focus was not about solving a
pre-existing traffic problem.  In line with national policy the scheme
included elements of re-allocation of road space to create new shared use
footway/cycleways and introducing traffic signals to give dedicated time
to pedestrians and cyclists to cross where previously this was difficult
given the volume and speed of traffic at the Adam Smith junction area. 
Clearly this means that time is taken away from vehicular traffic in
favour of the other modes, but by balancing the timings of the signals all
users can be given a fair share of the throughput. 

 

The traffic signals were switched on, on Tuesday 20^th December in the
afternoon.  This followed a period where the junction was operating on a
temporary basis with no pedestrian facility due to delays in Scottish
Power providing the electrical connection for the signals.  It is
acknowledged that the week prior to Christmas is not the ideal time to
introduce a new traffic system however concerns at the safe operation of
the temporary situation justified the switch on at that time.

 

Whilst the initial timings and heavy Christmas traffic led to delays at
the junction at peak traffic times, it was considered prudent to formalise
the junction operation prior to the Christmas holiday period.   The
initial signal design was carried out by specialist consultants and peak
time delays at the junction were anticipated, similar to those experienced
at the former roundabout junction.

 

On Thursday 22^nd December the timings were adjusted to increase traffic
capacity. This resulted in improvements to traffic flow with most queues
clearing in one cycle but peak traffic conditions still had some delays. 
Refinements to the signal timings have continued and staff have been
observing the junction operation throughout.  When traffic patterns
returned to ‘normal’ on Tuesday 10^th January, with most people back to
work and the schools having returned, on site observations showed the
junction to be operating satisfactorily.  At peak times nearly all
vehicles cleared the junction on a single cycle, with the only exception
being on the St Brycedale Avenue approach where for a short period around
5.00p.m. some delays were experienced.  A fault in the signal equipment
was identified at this time and rectified on Wednesday 11^th January which
has the effect of increasing the vehicle throughput.  There have been
problems noted with the sensors, but we are monitoring and dealing with
these.  Cameras have been installed over the past week to capture video
real time monitoring to assist with fully optimising the signals.  I
accept the comments you make in relation to the delays initially
experienced at this junction in the first 2 days of switch on, but can
confirm that these have now been eliminated.

 

While it is accepted that the delays initially experienced at this
junction in the first 2 days of switch on were unacceptable these have
been eliminated and the junction is now operating as anticipated. 
Monitoring of the junction operation will continue however it is not
envisaged that any further changes will be required.

 

I trust that all the aforementioned comments satisfactorily answer the
queries you have raised.

 

best regards

Scott

 

"Think Green" and only print this email if absolutely necessary

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Dear J Mackie
 
the costs quoted are for the whole Green Corridor project not just the
junction improvement.
 
The scheme was approved by Kirkcaldy Area Committee.
 
We have received approx 20 negative written comments, most of these relate
to the first two days of operation where the signal timing were not
correct.
 
Councillors intimated at the Kirkcaldy Area Committee on 25th January that
they were now beginning to receive positive comments from constituents
relating to the junction. I do not have specific numbers to share with
you.
 
 
I hope this is helpful
 
best regards
Scott
 
 
"Think Green" and only print this email if absolutely necessary

>>> J Mackie <[FOI #100249 email]> 28/01/2012 01:18
>>>
     Dear Scott Christie,
    
     Thanks for your response, perhaps you can answer all the points I
     raised please.
    
     £830k on a junction? This is where our tax money goes in a time of
     cut backs, pay freezes, pay offs, rising unemployment and a decline
     of the high street? I would have thought the money could have been
     much better spent!
    
     Yours sincerely,
    
     J Mackie
    
    

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