A823(M)
A823(M) | |||||||
Location Map ( geo) | |||||||
| |||||||
From: | Inverkeithing (NT124842) | ||||||
To: | Rosyth (NT110848) | ||||||
Distance: | 1 miles (1.6 km) | ||||||
Meets: | M90, A823 | ||||||
Highway Authorities | |||||||
Traditional Counties | |||||||
Route outline (key) | |||||||
|
The A823(M) is a short spur from M90 J2 in Rosyth, providing access to the A823 for Dunfermline. The road has provision for extensions in both directions. It is crossed by a small bridge (for agricultural access), from which vantage point both ends of the entire route can easily be seen.
It was the joint first motorway to open in Scotland, in September 1964, simultaneously with the adjacent section of M90 (and the non-motorway Forth Road Bridge).
The original plan was that it would eventually become part of the East Fife Regional Road, for which the number M92 was considered, but in the event the EFRR was built further north and classified as A92. Later a westward extension was considered, as an all-purpose road, switching from dual to single carriageway at an at-grade roundabout with the B9156 before tying in to the A985.
Route
The A823(M)'s eastern end is at Junction 2 of the M90. The short motorway runs just north of and parallel to the stretch of the Fife Circle railway line between Inverkeithing and Rosyth station, which takes about 1 minute by train. The land rises northwards away from the Firth of Forth and the M90 climbs and turns to the northeast after crossing the railway; the railtracks and A823(M) follow the side of the hill westwards. This topology restricts the layout of junction 2: the result is a rather eccentric trumpet which is almost entirely located north of the railway, except for the northbound off slip from the M90 to A823(M) which starts just north of the on-slip from Junction 1 and curves gently to the left. In contrast, both right-turning movements involve long, tight turns through more than 270 degrees. The junction is also designed to accommodate the extension of the A823(M) to the east, and full access between - hence the number of unused bridges within the interchange.
The A823(M)'s carriageways briefly come close together in mid-route then separate again at the western end and climb to meet Pitreavie Roundabout, linking with dual carriageways forming the B980 to Rosyth to the south and the A823 to Dunfermline to the north. A local route heads east along Castle Drive to housing and businesses. To the west of the roundabout, the railway line crosses diagonally but space was left to extend the road. Gradually housing has been encroaching on these fields, but it would still be possible to construct a through route.
The exit from this roundabout to the northbound A823 is notorious in wet weather for vehicles taking it too quickly and ending up on their sides or backs in the central reservation. Adding to road safety issues, pedestrians travelling between Rosyth or Rosyth station and the business parks to the north often chance their luck crossing the end of the sliproads to avoid a slightly longer route around the other side of the roundabout. The junction layout also curtailed the design of Rosyth Station, which was added later, hard up against the embankment beneath the adjoining B980; for several years it relied on a long, steep flight of steps for access to the north platform, but more recently a lengthy, somewhat precarious-looking ramp was erected for disabled access.
Opening Dates
Masterton to Rosyth | 4th September 1964 |
Links