Residents’ lucky escape as fallen trees cause traffic problems

Residents in a Kirkcaldy housing estate had a lucky escape in the early hours of yesterday morning when a tree crashed on to the main road.

Drivers trying to get in and out of Dunvegan Avenue were forced to make a detour as they awoke to find part of a huge oak tree blocking both sides of the road through the housing scheme.

The tree had been planted within a property on the estate and came down just yards or so away from homes and vehicles.

Fortunately no one was hurt and there was no damage, and it is understood the tree was cleared away before 10am.

However, home-owner Tom Rush, 82, who managed to clear the fallen tree from the roadway himself before Fife Council workers arrived, conceded the incident could have had far more serious consequences.

“It’s just as well the wind wasn’t swirling as it could have taken it down any way,” he said.

“There’s usually two cars sitting in the neighbour’s drive so if it had gone that way it might have caused a bit more damage, so we’re quite lucky.

“To be honest, I never heard it come down.

“I saw flashing lights which got me up at about 5.45am, and that must have been the people who shut the road,” he added.

Part of the tree was still standing and it is likely to need further safety assessments.

Motorists across Fife were warned to be on their guard against the possibility of fallen trees and debris on the roads.

The B9037 Sharps Brae to High Valleyfield road was completely closed because of a fallen tree in the early hours, while there were also reports of a tree partially blocking the Cluny road between Kirkcaldy and Cardenden.