The potential for major economic development along the so-called Fife Energy Corridor might only be achievable if there is significant investment in transport infrastructure between Methil and Longannet.
Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley has called on the Scottish Government to support “key drivers” in the Fife economy which would include a major upgrade of the A92 between Glenrothes and north Fife, an upgrade of the Redhouse Roundabout at Kirkcaldy, investment in a Levenmouth Rail link and a direct rail link into Rosyth Docks.
The comment was made as ambitious plans to add a rail halt to Fife’s successful £10 million park and ride moved up a gear with a direct plea to the Scottish Government to make those proposals a reality.
The mantle has been taken up by Mr Rowley who said that a rail link and railway station at the highly popular Halbeath site would further the economic and transport potential of the scheme.
The hub, launched in November, is part of the Queensferry Crossing project and offers bus links throughout central Scotland and along the M90 corridor.
The possibility of a rail link was raised at the launch by Fife Council’s transport spokesman Pat Callaghan.
The new hub sits alongside the Fife Circle line, and if it could be linked into the rail network he said it would be a boost for even more Fife commuters.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said then that Fife Council could apply to a £30m pot of funding for such regional transport partnership projects available from spring.
Yesterday former Fife Council leader Mr Rowley submitted a motion to Parliament which welcomed the recent opening of the Halbeath Park and Ride scheme and the 1,000 free car parking spaces it provides to residents of the Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline area.
Mr Rowley also spoke in a debate on the National Planning Framework which included reference to the park and ride and his call for a rail halt to be put in place.
He said a longer term view was required for infrastructure and resources to deliver a “healthy and vibrant economy that can meet the economic and social needs for the people of Scotland.”
He added: “I very much support the city region agenda and recognise that the city can drive the wider economy but for this to work there must be wider infrastructure investment across the region.
“I would suggest that in the case of Fife there is a failure to recognise the need for investment in the transport infrastructure the document highlights the potential for major development in what it calls the Fife Energy Corridor that stretches from Methil to Longannet but I would have to say that without investment in transport infrastructure I am not sure if that potential will be achieved.
“So what about the need for a major upgrade of the A92 in and around Glenrothes and better linking up with north Fife and beyond, the Redhouse Roundabout upgrade at Kirkcaldy, the Levenmouth Rail link and a direct rail link into Rosyth Docks?
“I recognise that it may not always be possible for everyone to have a job on their doorstep but if you don’t have the transport infrastructure and the public transport in place then people do not have the means to get to the jobs.”