Politicians have pledged to push to ensure plans for two Fife rail links remain on track, despite their omission from a £1.1 billion funding deal.
Failure to provide cash for the longed-for Levenmouth rail link and to extend the Stirling to Alloa passenger line into Fife has been described as a missed opportunity to create vital infrastructure.
While disappointed, Levenmouth MSP Jenny Gilruth and Dunfermline and west Fife MP Douglas Chapman insist the decision must not sink either of the projects.
Ms Gilruth said “I will continue to use my role as the MSP for Levenmouth to apply pressure to Fife Council, the Scottish Government and to the UK Government to ensure the vital importance of its reinstatement is not lost.”
Mr Chapman added: “The west Fife rail link needs to stand on its own merits and given the advantages it will bring to villages in the area and beyond, I remain confident a strong case can be made to have the link delivered.”
None of the transport projects submitted by Fife Council were included in the final Edinburgh and South East Scotland regional city deal, which was signed last week.
Campaigners in Levenmouth in particular have expressed bitter disappointment and Ms Gilruth said the area should not be “cut adrift” from investment.
“The city region deal for Edinburgh and the surrounding areas has been a missed opportunity for my constituency,” she said.
“I believe it should have included the Levenmouth rail link as vital infrastructure required to join up job opportunities in the capital and to drive investment outwith the city.”
The MSP is to write to the UK and Scottish Governments to clarify how much of the £1.1bn is coming to Fife and has tabled a member’s debate at Holyrood to discuss the rail link specifically.
Mr Chapman added: “The west Fife rail link is an exciting future project that needs solid investment.
“The project is not city deal-dependent but the fact it is not mentioned in the plan is disappointing.
“There certainly seems to be a lot of Fife investment that has gone unrecognised.”
