Campaigners in Fife have criticised the failure to deliver a promised £6.4 million park and choose facility at Rosyth –as figures revealed more than a million more cars used the Queensferry Crossing last year.
Supports say the scheme, next to Rosyth railway station, would allow drivers to opt for buses or car-sharing, as well as taking the train – a third choice that is not available at the existing £10 million park and ride at Halbeath.
Despite land being earmarked for the development and consent granted, there has been no sign of work starting.
The delays have been criticised by Green Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell, after new statistics revealed 27.73 million vehicles used the Forth Crossing in the 12 months to October, 3.9% more than the 26.68 million a year before.
Mr Ruskell said: “The Forth Crossing Public Transport Strategy was a key part of the plan for building a new bridge, and it was meant to guarantee that any increase in journeys over the Forth would be made by public transport, not car.
“The figures … show that we’re clearly failing on this.”
He added: “It’s been a decade since we first adopted the public transport strategy, but still less than a third of the recommendations have been delivered.
“One of the easiest recommendations was to build the much-needed park and ride facility at Rosyth train station. The land has been identified, planning permission granted, but the Scottish Government have failed to come up with the funding for this.
“If they were serious about getting people out of their cars and onto sustainable, low carbon transport, they would make this a top priority for commuters in Fife.”
Transport minister Michael Matheson said the Rosyth scheme was up against “competing demands” for finances, but future investment will be considered through the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 process.
And he insisted the Scottish Government has made progress on a number of areas in the strategy, including £20 million of additional investment in transport infrastructure in the west of Edinburgh.
“I also recently announced £70 million to be invested in the reopening of the Levenmouth railway line, which will connect Levenmouth back into the Fife Circle and will improve rail connectivity and public transport for a significant number of people who live in Fife,” he said.
“As we have set out in the draft national transport strategy, the Government intends to take forward a range of other measures once the strategy is complete and in place.
“I recognise that there is more for us to do, but I can assure you that the Government is committed to introducing a range of measures to reduce car use and improve the provision of public transport.”
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