Plans to ditch a 20mph speed limit that drivers refuse to obey have come to a screeching halt.
Councillors previously agreed to spend £10,000 on increasing the limit on the B9130 in Markinch to 30mph.
It followed a study that showed 85% of motorists were ignoring the mandatory speed signs.
But six months later, they have u-turned and decided to find other ways of dealing with traffic entering Markinch.
The original ruling in May proved controversial, with Labour councillor Altany Craik accusing Fife Council of allowing drivers to decide what speed they wanted to do.
He warned then that the council was making a rod for its own back.
And he added: “We need to be careful of the impacts this will have.”
Meanwhile, 10 people lodged formal objections, saying removing the 20mph speed limit would not address speeding at the entrance to Markinch.
There were also fears for school children and other vulnerable people trying to cross to a bus stop.
Members of Glenrothes area committee have now taken those concerns on board.
And they have agreed to speak to local people to see what measures they actually want.
This could include narrowing the road and introducing cycle paths.
‘This has been less than ideal’
The issue returned to committee on Wednesday so officers could ask councillors to set aside the public objections.
This would have allowed them to implement the speed limit change.
Lead traffic management consultant Lesley Craig said 30mph was appropriate for the section of road between Bowen Place and the entrance to Balbirnie Estate.
But Mr Craik disagreed.
“To say this has been less than ideal all the way through would be an understatement, I think,” he said.
“Rather than just sticking in another 30mph limit and having people drive at 33 or 35, should we not be using this opportunity?
“My grump is we’re not taking much of a creative approach to looking for a different solution.
“We just want to change the speed limit but driver behaviour will not change.”
Changing driver behaviour
SNP councillor John Beare was in agreement, saying the current road design “effectively encourages poor driving”.
“We have a cycleway that vegetation is encroaching on and is virtually useless,” he said.
“And we’ve a carriageway that’s 10m wide in parts in a 20mph zone.
“What we haven’t done is engage with the community on this particular route.
“I suggest we hold off and look at it in a much rounder way.”
He added: “Sticking a bit of paint down and changing a few signs is not going to change the behaviour that we’re trying to change.
“But we can change behaviour with good designs.”