FIFE COUNCIL will spend £20,000 to slow traffic down in Rosyth after "several near misses" and an accident where a pedestrian was knocked down.

Councillors at the South West Fife area committee agreed to instal raised speed tables on the existing zebra crossings on Primrose Lane in the interests of public safety.

Proposals were put forward in January but there was an objection, with a local resident arguing that speed bumps and raised tables contributed to spring failure on vehicles and could lead to tyre blow-outs. The resident added that they had "little concerns" about speeding in the area, current road safety measures were adequate and, as a result, "speed tables are a waste of time and money".

However, a report by Phil Clark, of the council's traffic management team, said: "Concerns have been raised regarding vehicle speed and compliance with the zebra crossings.

"There is a record of an injury accident where a driver hit a pedestrian on one of the crossings."

He said a speed survey showed "numerous instances of vehicles travelling well over 40mph in Primrose Lane", which has a 30mph limit.

He added that, on a typical weekday, around 10 per cent, or 941 out of 9,219 vehicles, were clocked at more than 36mph and 182 motorists were doing more than 41mph.

Mr Clark said: "These vehicle speeds do support provision of raised tables."

His report also said the Transport Research Laboratory had indicated that, if driven at appropriate speeds, "road humps do not cause injury to vehicle passengers or damage to vehicles".