THERE are five weeks of roadworks ahead on the A985 with a scheme to widen a footpath beginning on Monday.

The job, being carried out by Bear Scotland, will involve a lane closure between the junction to Charlestown (West Road) and the junction to Waggon Road and Crossford.

They will be widening a 1.1km stretch of footway on the south side of the trunk road.

Dunfermline Press: The A985 road will be down to one lane between the Charlestown junction and the Waggon Road junction. The A985 road will be down to one lane between the Charlestown junction and the Waggon Road junction. (Image: Bear Scotland)

Tommy Deans, Bear Scotland’s south east network manager, said: “These works will provide an improved facility for pedestrians and cyclists using this stretch of the A985.

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“A lane closure is essential for the safety of our workforce and the public, however we’ll do all we can do complete the works as quickly and safely as possible."

For the first three weeks, the A985 between both junctions will be restricted to a single lane controlled by temporary traffic lights 24 hours a day. From Monday March 18 the works will be restricted to off-peak hours.

Mr Deans added: "The temporary traffic lights will be manually controlled at peak times to optimise the flow of traffic, however road users may still experience some delays.

Dunfermline Press: Works will begin here, at the Charlestown junction on the A985, from Monday February 26.Works will begin here, at the Charlestown junction on the A985, from Monday February 26. (Image: Google Maps)

"We’re grateful for their patience and understanding.”

All work is weather dependent and subject to postponement or cancellation in the event of adverse conditions.

Bear Scotland, the operating company for Transport Scotland, have also told the Press they're looking at filling a gap in provision for pedestrians and cyclists.

Currently, when you pass the Dunfermline Road turn-off on the A985 to Limekilns there's no footway or cycle path, forcing walkers and bikers to take a deep breath and their chances on the carriageway until just past the Waggon Road junction.

Dunfermline Press: There's currently no footway or cycle path between the Limekilns junction and the Waggon Road junction on the A985.There's currently no footway or cycle path between the Limekilns junction and the Waggon Road junction on the A985. (Image: Newsquest)

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Asked about this, a spokesperson said: "It is in Bear Scotland’s programme for the next financial year to investigate feasible options for that section.

"There is restricted width adjacent to the trunk road as well as the Limekilns Road junction and access to Broomhall estate, which make it very difficult to install a path next to the A985.

"The solution may be a remote path, however that will require input from other stakeholders such as Fife Council, Sustrans and adjacent landowners."