Facelift for Courier Country’s ‘worst road’

REPAIRS: Work being done on crumbling rural ‘rat run’ used as a shortcut between Cupar and Dundee

A crumbling rural “rat run” branded Courier Country’s worst road is undergoing repairs.

The Q7 between Kilmany and Foodieash is so riddled with potholes that many locals refuse to use it.

Work began this week to improve the unmarked road, which is commonly used as a shortcut between Cupar and Dundee.

Around £140,000 is being spent on patching work to improve the surface of the road, which Fife Council said would benefit the local community.

However, the work began as a warning was issued by Fife’s Liberal Democrat leader that budget cuts would have a serious impact on maintenance of the region’s other highways and byways.

It emerged in January that inspectors had found 95 potholes in need of repair on the 4.3 mile Q7.

Fed up villagers in Kilmany and Foodieash told The Courier that the road was in urgent need of repair and that they feared there would a serious accident.

The road closed on Monday for work which is expected to take up to three weeks.

David Brown, the council’s network management service manager, said: “The work being done on the Q7 between Kilmany and Foodieash is a planned patching programme to improve the surface of the road.

“We expect this work to take up to three weeks and the road will be closed during this time.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this improvement work causes, but are confident the finished works will be of benefit to the local community.”

Councillor Tim Brett, who previously criticised the road’s state, said: “This is very welcome news and I’m sure will be much appreciated by the residents who stay on or use the Q7 route.

“Unfortunately, there are many other rural roads which are also showing signs of needing urgent attention and I remain concerned about the transportation service’s ability to address these roads too, when its budget is being cut by over £1 million next year.”

Mr Brett, Liberal Democrat leader on Fife Council, said: “Although this is a one-off saving, it is still likely to have a serious effect on road patching, road drainage, street lighting and a range of other miscellaneous budgets that cover the maintenance of bridges, flooding and coastal work, harbours, car parks and road safety.”

Since 2011 Mr Brett said roads maintenance expenditure had been reduced by almost 21% and added: “Most Fifers would agree that the present level of spending on our roads is not sufficient and this further cut is likely to lead to serious problems occurring during 2016-17.”

Transportation and environment spokesman Councillor Pat Callaghan said savings across the council were one-off cutbacks while spending and services transformation is considered to meet the ongoing budget challenge.

This is very welcome news and I’m sure will be much appreciated by the residents who stay on or use the Q7 route. COUNCILLOR TIM BRETT

Picture: Steven Brown. Councillor Tim Brett assesses the state of the Q7 which is undergoing repairs.