North Kirkcaldy has undergone a huge transformation in recent years due to the expansion of John Smith Business Park, the building of hundreds of new houses at Muttonhall and the development of a new wing for Victoria Hospital.

These investments will help create new jobs and homes in the town, giving the local economy a much-needed boost. They will also lead to an increase in traffic, so studies have been carried out to find out what changes need to be made to the road network to make sure it can cope.

A major project to improve the road layout at Chapel Level is due to start the week beginning Monday 14 May, 2012, and is expected to take up to a year to complete. This redesign will maintain access to businesses and housing while providing safer routes for all road users including cyclists and pedestrians.

This major road improvement project will involve:

• Upgrading the road between Fair Isle Road and Hendry Road to create a dual carriageway
• Removing the traffic lights on Hendry Road, Rosemount Avenue and Chapel Level and merging the junctions to create one free-flowing roundabout
• Installing traffic lights at Prestonfield Drive and Newtonmore Drive
• Creating a shared cycleway and footpath along the north side of Chapel Level, with toucan crossings along the way to enable cyclists and pedestrians to cross safely
• Improvements to Wester Bogie roundabout

To view a map of the new design, artist's impressions of how it will look, and see some frequently asked questions, click on the links at the bottom of this page.

You can also view the original planning application and associated documents by clicking here (or go to www.fifedirect.org.uk/planning and view the application using the reference 10/04003/FULL).

This project is expected to cost £3.4million which is being jointly funded by Fife Council and NHS Fife. RJ McLeod are the contractors carrying out the work. 

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Over the next few weeks, contractors RJ McLeod will be laying power ducts and drainage pipes and constructing the link roads to the new roundabout. Some of this work requires Chapel Level to be closed. This has been timed to take place during the school October holidays to take advantage of the quieter roads and minimise disruption to drivers.

Monday 8 – Wednesday 10 October: Restrictions will be in place from 6pm to 6am. East-bound traffic will continue to use Chapel Level, down to one lane, and west-bound traffic will be diverted along Rosemount Avenue. No parking will be permitted in Rosemount Avenue for these three days.

Friday 12 – Monday 15 October: Chapel Level will be closed at the junctions with Rosemount Avenue. East-bound traffic will be diverted via Rosemount Avenue and west-bound traffic will be diverted along Hendry Road, Templehall Avenue and Fair Isle Road. Diversions will be signposted on site. A new 30mph speed limit will also be in place between Whyteman’s Brae and Fair Isle Road.