By Bruce Fegen

FIFE’S THREE Labour MSPs have given Transport Minister Tavish Scott a firm warning of the damage that would be done to the area should tolls on the Forth Road Bridge rise to £4.

Helen Eadie, Marilyn Livingstone and Christine May also made the minister fully aware of the widespread opposition that exists in Fife to any such increase and, in particular, the concerns of business and commuters.

Mrs Eadie said she was anxious to confirm recent press reports which suggested that there would be a decision, in principle, by April.

She continued, “Given the views expressed by some political opponents who present their arguments in such a way as to suggest that little money is being spent on improving public transport in Fife, I am concerned that the minister notes just how much has been spent on such improvements.

“The investment by both Fife Council and the Scottish Executive in public transport over recent years has amounted to somewhere in the region of £70 million. As a result, the shift from road to rail passengers was now in excess of a 30% increase in the past 10 years.

“However, as part of that move there has been a massive shift to park and ride. I am extremely concerned that the minister appreciates the concerns of the local people of both Inverkeithing and North Queensferry in that car parking for park and ride initiatives in these towns had really reached saturation point.

“The very strong opinion of local people is that they could no longer be considered for any increase in park and ride initiative facilities, since there is a real danger that the historic and ancient burgh would simply become one giant car park.”

The Dunfermline East MSP also highlighted the fact that areas like Ballingry, Lochgelly and Kelty often had no option but to use the car to get to places such as Livingston. She pointed out that the bridge is part of the Trans-European Network, and that too would require to be considered when the Scottish Executive concluded its deliberations.

Finally, she said, while car-sharing initiatives are to be commended, any proposal to move to enforce them might be resisted on security grounds, especially for women and more vulnerable elderly people.

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) said many areas in Fife face some of the greatest economic and social challenges in Scotland. She urged the minister to consider the possible impact of the proposed increase in tolls on businesses considering whether to expand or to locate in Fife, and the knock-on effect on jobs.

Outlining the current position she continued, “This major issue confronts policy-makers in Fife, and the fact that Edinburgh City Council policy not to develop green belt was having a major impact on the kingdom and other local authorities surrounding Edinburgh.

“New family homes are springing up all around these areas, and this is creating a major demand for commuting into and out of Edinburgh.”

Mrs Livingstone concluded, “I really want to emphasise the issue of car parks at rail stations and that, if we are to succeed in moving more people from their cars into the trains, then more will have to be done to ensure expansion of existing car parks in many train stations across Fife where the capacity for park and ride by train is totally inadequate. I can highlight Kirkcaldy railway station as an example.”

She stressed her concern about FETA (Forth Estuary Transport Authority) and the way in which it operated.

Mrs May (Central Fife) said, “I urged the minister to reflect on concerns about the wider Scottish economy and the potential damage there could be to the growth of business and the loss of confidence.

“The advent of city regions further exacerbates the possibility of Fife being squeezed between the two major cities of Edinburgh and Dundee with regard to major investment.”

She added, “The representations being made to the minister were to try to ensure that Fife’s economy was properly considered in the wider economic and social issues in deliberations about the bridge.

“I believe that confidence in Fife must not be allowed to suffer.”

The MSP urged Mr Scott to take on board the representations and said she hoped he would not endorse FETA’s proposals.