A stairway used since Victorian times to get to a Fife transport hub has been closed after a section collapsed.
Steps to Cupar Railway Station’s southbound platform are cordoned off after a gaping hole appeared.
Until five years ago, when a ramp was built to improve access, the steps were the only way to platform one for trains for Edinburgh and beyond.
Station operator Network Rail became aware of the damage on Monday and the stairway was sealed off.
Commuter Graham Harvey, of Craigrothie, who uses the station daily to travel to Edinburgh, said: “The steps have effectively collapsed.
“I noticed yesterday (Monday) that one step had cracked and gone through and this morning two steps had gone through.
“It was cordoned off on one side at first but now they have cordoned it all off. They wouldn’t be able to guarantee anyone’s safety on them.
“I wouldn’t have liked to have been standing there when they went.”
Another passenger, Chrys Muirhead, posted a picture of the damage she described as a “chasm” on Twitter to warn others of the danger.
Danger! Chasm on steps down to Platform 1 Cupar Rail station. Use Ramp. pic.twitter.com/vgtQdi20Of
— Chrys Muirhead (@ChrysMuirhead) January 26, 2016
Cupar councillor Margaret Kennedy, who campaigned for the £1 million ramp to allow wheelchair users and parents with prams to use the platform, does not expect the stairway to be fixed any time soon.
She is to contact Network Rail for information, but said: “The important thing is that it has been cordoned off to protect the public.
“However, we need to know what the timeframe is for this to be repaired.
“Given the weather we have had recently it may be that a lot of the maintenance staff are dealing with more critical things than a protected hole in our steps.
“As a community we will have to have some patience. While it is inconvenient, at least we have the ramp.”
Network Rail said civil engineers were assessing the damage and a contractor would be appointed to carry out repairs.
A spokesman said: “They are looking at what has caused this and putting together a plan for repair.
“We don’t have a timeframe, but the work will be carried out as soon as possible.
“Fortunately, no one has been hurt. In the meantime, the ramp is there for access.”