Published Date: Mar 5th, 2026
Fife Council is planning to reduce the speed limit on a number of roads across Kirkcaldy from 30mph to 20mph.
This is part of Fife Council’s wider work to improve road safety and protect all road users, in line with the Scottish Government’s Road Safety Framework to 2030, which aims to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on Scotland’s roads by 2050.
Twenty mile per hour speed limits are already being rolled out in towns and villages across Fife, with schemes completed in places including St Andrews, Burntisland and Falkland. The council is now asking people in Kirkcaldy to ensure the proposed list of streets is right and to identify any roads that may have been missed.
Research shows that a person hit by a vehicle at 30mph is seven times more likely to be killed than someone hit at 20mph. Studies also suggest that reducing speed limits to 20mph has a minimal impact on journey times, typically adding less than 30 seconds to a two-mile trip.
Kirkcaldy residents Nan and Pete McQueen said: “We’d really like to see the speed limit lowered on some of the main roads into the town centre. Some of them feel too fast, especially when you’re trying to cross the road. Pete added: ‘I wouldn’t be happy with Nan crossing St Clair Street on her own – it’s just so busy with a constant flow of traffic.”
Councillor Ian Cameron, Convener of the Kirkcaldy Area Committee, said: “Keeping people safe on our roads – whether they’re walking, cycling or driving – is our priority. One death or serious injury caused by speeding is one too many.
“We know some people may be concerned about the impact on journey times. However, our calculations show that any increase is minimal – for example, around 16 seconds on St Clair Street. These estimates are based on uninterrupted journeys, without traffic lights or heavy traffic.
“While some journeys may take slightly longer depending on traffic conditions, overall journey times should become more consistent and may even improve with calmer driving. If slowing down a little and adding a few seconds to a journey helps prevent serious injuries or saves lives, we believe it is a change worth making.
“We want people to look at the proposed streets and tell us if there are other roads they think should be included before we move to the next stage.”
Residents are encouraged to view the proposed list of streets and share their feedback online at www.fife.gov.uk/kirkcaldy20mph
Anyone who is unable to take part online can request a paper copy of the form by calling 03451 55 55 55 ext. 442935.
The deadline to let us know if you think any roads are missing is Monday 13 April 2026.
Feedback will help shape the proposals before a formal statutory consultation is carried out later in 2026 where residents can submit official comments or objections. Notices will be posted on-street, in the local press, and online at www.fife.gov.uk/notices
