DESPITE pleas from the local councillor Cowdenbeath Area Committee agreed to put speed cushions on a Kelty street to curb traffic speed.

Wednesday's meeting of the committee heard that the proposal was to promote speed cushions on Oakfield Street in the village.

Fife Council Roads Department's Phil Clark recommended that the Road Humps Order be promoted at a cost of £3000 after concerns had been raised about traffic speeds on Oakfield Street, which has a 30mph limit.

Mr Clarke added: "A number of years ago a build-out and electronic warning sign was installed to raise awareness of the 30mph limit in a bid to improve compliance.

"Following further complaints in relation to speeds on the street a survey was conducted in February 2015 which indicated that speeds near the 30mph gateway at the South end of Oakfield Street were excessive.

"A further survey conducted near Fairfield Road showed a more favourable average speed but did highlight that a number of drivers were travelling in excess of 40mph, particularly heading southbound."

He added that to improve safety and address local concerns speed cushions were proposed, installed adjacent to narroiw build outs and placed at three locations along the length of Oakfield Street, to achieve an overall speed reduction throughout the residential area.

Councillor Campbell agreed that measures were needed but he felt that the small cushions are not very effective. His opinion was that it would be better to have a road wide hump similar to that at The Avenue in Lochgelly.

He added: "The problem with the individual cushions is that people either manoeuvre around these by straddling them or just rattle over them.

"I would propose that a full road width barrier is what is needed to properly control the speed of traffic on Oakfield Street."

Mr Clark stepped in before there was further discussion to point out that the full width speed barrier would cost in the region of £10,000.

He added: "There are also problems with the heavy goods vehicles and buses using routes that have full width barriers.

"Stagecoach will not put buses on routes that have full width barriers.

"We find that where there is a 30mph speed limit that the cushions that are being recommended are very effective at reducing speed."

Councillor Campbell felt that there was still a strong cause for a full width speed barrier but in the circumstances was prepared to accept the recommendation which was agreed by the committee.