While the overall condition of Fife’s road structures is generally good, bridge strengthening and maintenance work needs sustained capital investment. Targeted investment in priority schemes is needed to complement the council’s programme of inspection and maintenance work to ensure Fife’s bridges remain safe, fit for purpose and to minimise restrictions on roads.

A committee report focused on the nine projects that require to be delivered. Following approval of the Capital Investment Plan 2019-29 in February 2019, a revision to the Fife Bridge Strengthening Programme was approved in May 2019. Since then, the Scottish Government approved plans to re-open the Levenmouth Rail Link. Also, the project at the A91, New Bridge Guardbridge, has required additional work.

As with many services and plans, the COVID-19 virus, and lockdown restrictions, resulted in works delays. Work on the A91 Guardbridge project was suspended for 16 weeks, from March 2020.

The major projects set to be delivered are:

• A91 New Bridge, Guardbridge
• A955 Leven Railway Bridge & Bawbee Bridge
• B981 Broad Street Railway Bridge, Cowdenbeath
• A907 Lyne Burn Bridge, Dunfermline
• C126 Woodside Road, Underpass, Glenrothes
• A907 Glen Bridge Footway Remediation, Dunfermline
• A917 Inverie Burn Bridge Replacement, St Monan’s
• B981 Den Burn Bridge, Cardenden

Cllr Altany Craik, convener - economy, tourism, strategic planning & transportation committee, said: “The overall condition of Fife’s road structures is good, and to support our roads network bridge strengthening and maintenance work needs sustained investment.

“Bridge works are expensive and are vital to maintaining our roads infrastructure. Targeted investment in maintenance work is necessary to keep our bridges safe for use, fit for purpose and to minimise restrictions on Fife’s road network.”