Efforts are being stepped up to deter speeding in Cairneyhill - with road policing officers carrying out checks at the weekend.

It's a move welcomed by local councillor Graeme Downie, who hopes it will serve as a deterrent to those tempted to break the speed limit.

Cllr Downie said “Speeding in Cairneyhill and across the villages in West Fife is something that comes up quite a lot frankly. In Cairneyhill specifically we have to be making sure kids have safe access to the primary school and people are safe accessing the shops.

“It’s one of the main routes into Dunfermline, and from the Cairneyhill roundabout up, people are going quite quickly. When they come out the other way, they go from a 60 between Crossford and Cairneyhill and then slow down into the village itself. There’s a lot of houses right next to the main road and you get a lot of HGVs and school buses so it’s a really busy road. This is why it’s one of the key issues that comes up.”

Cllr Downie was keen to thanks the police and explained what needed to be done to combat the issue.

“It’s about keeping on top of it the best we can," he said. "It was really good of the police to be out last weekend after I had asked them to just monitor the area. Hopefully it caught a few people speeding but also acts as a deterrent as well.

“The community council has been very active in promoting the community speed watch programme that the police run as well. The issue is there’s not much that can be done in terms of traffic calming measures as it is such a busy road. You can’t really put in speed bumps or anything.”

The councillor also highlighted the importance of making sure children are aware of road safety.

Cllr Downie said “A lot of it is about education. I know the police have been doing more with the local primary school, which is something that the head teacher has been quite keen on as well. I think it works quite effectively as well when it’s the kids that are telling off the parents for speeding and going too fast. I know my daughter is always looking from the back seat at my speedometer and saying, 'You’re not going too fast, are you?'."

The issue of speeding and road safety is clearly something Cllr Downie is keen to address, as he added: “Drivers have to realise the impact of speeding through these villages and the dangers it brings to West Fife residents. It’s a constant battle to keep on top of it. I don’t think there’s one solution. It’s about making sure it’s on the agenda of the police, the local council, and the community as well to make sure we stop the irresponsible driving.”