A COMMUNITY group has renewed calls for a Rosyth bypass and the dualling of the A985.

The What's Happening Rosyth group has set up a petition in its quest for action as it says development around the area will only make things worse for motorists.

A spokesperson for the organisation said the road's upgrade could help link South West Fife to the rest of Scotland – especially at times like earlier this month when traffic had to be diverted from the Queensferry Crossing.

He explained: "The petition was set up to try and bring forward plans for a South West bypass and especially a Rosyth bypass that would help the town before all the new 2,150 houses are built as part of the Stirling Development and also the building of the Talgo train factory which is looking to employ over 1,000 people.

"We also have the proposed building of the new high school; the A985 is already a busy road with the dockyard workers. The closing of the Queensferry Crossing the other week just highlighted the issue again with the A985 being used as a diversion.

"Building a new Rosyth bypass and upgrading the whole A985 to motorway will help take the pressure off the Queensferry Crossing, which has shown an increase of traffic."

The spokesperson said the current high levels of traffic – including HGVs – passing through Rosyth on Admiralty Road caused health issues to local residents and made their houses vibrate.

This, he believes, would be eradicated if a road linking the A985 to the A823 near Sky was created.

It is not the first time such an idea has been mooted.

Back in September 2016, the Press reported that community groups in Rosyth were asking for the road to be dualled and for a bypass.

At that time, they said that taking traffic out of Rosyth would help reduce accidents, “resolve major traffic issues” and lessen the health risk to residents caused by vehicle emissions.

This week, a Transport Scotland spokesperson said any decisions on future funding of strategic transport infrastructure in Scotland would be informed by the outcome of the Strategic Transport Projects Review and through the normal cycle of government spending reviews.

"However, in relation to any potential extra capacity linked to new homes and Talgo, this would be considered by developers as part of their own proposals and assessments," said the spokesperson.

“We understand and regret the difficulties caused by the recent closure of the Queensferry Crossing.

“Throughout the entire lifetime of the QFC project we have endeavoured to engage with local communities, listen to their views or concerns and respond as best we can. We will continue to do this through the Forth Bridges Forum and via our operating company.

“As set out in the Forth Crossing Act, improving the reliability of public transport is a critical element of the overall project and is vitally important in our efforts to cut emissions and tackle climate change. The Act itself was subject to wide-ranging consultation with the public and was passed by Parliament with near unanimous cross-party support.

“Separately, the development of Rosyth Park and Ride is being taken forward by Fife Council which has secured funding of £140,000 from our Public Transport Provision Fund which will allow them to update the existing planning application, including reviewing and updating the design and environmental assessment.”

The What's Happening group's petition can be found at www.change.org (search South West Fife bypass) or by visiting the link on the What's Happening Rosyth Facebook page.