SAFETY first will see the 30mph speed limit extended onto the A907 Halbeath bypass.

Fife Council agreed recently to instal a puffin crossing close to the development of Burger King and Costa Coffee drive-thrus and the extra step to slow traffic down was agreed on Tuesday.

Phil Clarke, lead consultant in traffic management, told the City of Dunfermline area committee: "This is a proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to alter the position of the 30mph speed limit gateway coming in off Halbeath bypass.

"This is in relation to a signal-controlled crossing we're putting in which was approved last financial year but it was one that slipped into this year.

"Where the crossing is going is pretty much where the current gateway is so what we're going to do is move the gateway back slightly (80 metres) so that signage for the speed limit gateway is well back from the crossing and drivers won't get confused.

"It's a fairly small change but it makes it more sensible."

The bypass is between Halbeath Retail Park, where an extension including a new Lidl supermarket and M&S Foodhall was approved but not started, and the new development currently being built off MacDonald Square in Halbeath, which will have Burger King, Costa Coffee and Greggs.

Just north of the roundabout at Fife College, it is currently a 40mph speed limit and Councillor Garry Haldane asked why they didn't just make the whole road a 30mph limit.

Mr Clarke said: "It's an urban fringe dual carriageway so it really isn't the right environment for a 30mph limit.

"We're only moving the gateway to accommodate the crossing. There's no justification for moving it further up the road."