Dunfermline has been allowed to 'slip off the radar'

That’s the view of Provost Jim Leishman and Councillor Helen Law, who is the chairperson of Fife Council’s Dunfermline area committee.

Both have written to Transport Scotland and Provost Leishman said: “Dunfermline, Scotland’s ancient capital, has a great offer for both locals and visitors and should be highlighted as a place of importance for visitors and tourists.

"It is interesting that Dunfermline is signed for traffic coming from the north but not from the south.

“It barely takes a couple of minutes to come across the Forth Road Bridge to getting beyond junction four Kelty on the motorway.”

He said he was “horrified” to hear that the Scottish Government didn’t consider Dunfermline to be either a place of importance or a primary destination.

“The signs coming across the bridge were mainly for Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth,” he added.

“This has been a ridiculous situation. Helen and I have both written to the minister as have members of the public. Dunfermline has been allowed to slip off the radar.”

Cllr Law added: “Dunfermline has a rich history with many famous sons and daughters and through our new tourism plan and in conjunction with the opening of the new Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries, it is really important not only to direct folk around the town but also to get our visitors here,” she said.

“Dunfermline should be a global destination with the culture, history and historic buildings we have to offer. We do get a lot of visitors but better signage on the motorway can only be an absolute necessity.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “Gantry-mounted signage on the M90 approaches to the Masterton and Halbeath junctions, both northbound and southbound, will provide drivers with appropriate road information for visitors and residents of Dunfermline. 

“Visitor attractions, including Dunfermline Abbey, will also be advised to drivers where appropriate via tourist signage on the M90.

“In the interests of clarity and making most effective use of available space on signage further afield on the wider strategic network, signage normally focuses on two strategic destinations.

"In this case of northbound M90 traffic, this will be Dundee and Perth. However, we have also instructed our contractor to add a route confirmation sign featuring Dunfermline just prior to the northbound approach to the Queensferry Crossing.

“The closeness of the various junctions in this area of the A90/M90 requires destinations to be very local.

"Dunfermline will be signed north of Ferrytoll and it should be noted that these advanced direction signs have not yet been erected between the Admiralty junction and Ferrytoll. They have however, been erected north of Admiralty for the A823(M).”