THE drive for faster broadband speeds is slowing traffic on the roads with "digging and disruption" across West Fife over the next six months.

It's no pain no gain for locals with numerous cones and temporary traffic lights in and around the city as Openreach, who run the UK's digital network, lay the groundwork for improvements for thousands of homes and businesses.

Roadworks are under way or planned on main roads in Dunfermline such as Halbeath Road, Pilmuir Street, Townhill Road, William Street and Rumblingwell, as well as on smaller streets in housing estates in Pitcorthie, Abbeyview, Bellyeoman, Duloch, Masterton and Parkneuk.

And works are also planned in Rosyth, Kingseat, Kelty, Crossford, Comrie, Oakley, Saline, Steelend, High Valleyfield, Kincardine and Torryburn, with Openreach hoping that "any short-term disruption will be outweighed by the long-term benefits".

A spokesperson explained: “We’re extending our full fibre network in Dunfermline and the surrounding areas to give residents access to our gigabit-capable broadband.

"It will future-proof the local network for decades to come and bring multiple benefits to people and the local economy.

“Our new network has now reached around 14,000 homes and businesses in Dunfermline, an investment of more than £4 million to date, with a quarter already ordering some of the UK’s fastest, most reliable broadband from their providers.

"People can check plans for their postcode at www.openreach.com."

He continued: “Wherever we can, we use our existing duct-and-pole network – and that generally helps us to avoid digging and disruption.

"But in order to include some properties in the upgrade, or to remove silt blockages from ducts so we can reuse them, we may need to carry out roadworks.

"We work closely with Fife Council to plan roadworks so they cause the least disruption possible to local people and drivers, but, hopefully, any short-term disruption will be outweighed by the long-term benefits of this investment.

“Local people in several West Fife communities are likely to spot an increase in Openreach activity as we continue work on the ground over the next six months.”