A charity that helps inebriated young revellers in Dunfermline town centre is among the victims of a row over the upkeep of a rail bridge.
Dunfermline Street Pastors’ vehicle, Abraham, is normally kept at Fordell Industrial Estate but has had to find a new home due to the threat of closure and weight restriction on the bridge, which leads to the Cowdenbeath business park.
Both Network Rail and the owner of the estate, Iain Sinclair, claims the other is responsible for maintenance of the deteriorating structure.
Network Rail has threatened to close it unless repairs are carried out.
Pastors volunteer Brian Smith keeps Abraham in the yard of his business, Linkline, which is one of 18 companies whose only access is the bridge.
The charity is relying on the goodwill of Police Scotland to temporarily accommodate the vehicle at Dunfermline Police Station but fears its work is at risk.
Abraham is used by a team of volunteers to provide refuge for drunken young people in need of first aid or help getting home safely after a night out.
Mr Smith said: “On average, the street pastors attend to upwards of 45 people each shift.
“About half of these are taken into Abraham; the more serious incidents, such as those needing first aid treatments, help to get sobered up prior to getting home safely, connecting people who have become separated from friends, or simply vulnerable young adults.
“Without proper, safe, long-term storage, this vital community work is seriously put at risk.”
Business owners in Fordell Industrial Estate fear around 70 jobs are at risk if the bridge is shut.
Mr Smith claims his company, which paints road and car park markings, has lost £15,000 already as a result of the fiasco and fears he may be put out of business.
He told The Courier he lost a major contract when the bridge was closed suddenly for a weekend in June, as he was unable to get his vehicles out for the job.
He said: “Total incurred costs to the business are around £15,000 so far and rising daily.
“The closure has inconvenienced our customers and incurred extra overtime costs and delivery costs as loads are now delivered to us in many small loads as opposed to one single 20-tonne load that we usually have delivered once a month.”
Due to the weight restriction, he is unable to remove all his equipment from the yard but even if he could, he estimated relocating even temporarily would cost around £12,000 and the down time would cost him even more contracts and, possibly, customers.
He said: “We feel all our jobs are being put at risk here.”
Accusing the rail operator of negligence in maintaining the bridge and allowing it to fall into disrepair, he added: “Network Rail has made a very poor job of this whole situation, with no liaison whatsoever.”
Mr Sinclair, who is being backed by his tenants, said his title deeds refer to right of passage over the bridge but say nothing about looking after it. He is due to attend a meeting next week with Network Rail’s lawyers in an attempt to find a solution to the problem.
Network Rail said the bridge was originally built by the coal board as a colliery access and was the responsibility of the estate owner. It said it had addressed safety concerns by undertaking emergency repairs, imposing the weight restriction and other control measures.
Local MP Gordon Brown and Fife Council have also stepped into the row. Mr Brown said: “Working alongside Fife Council, I am hopeful we can find a solution that enables us to reassure the 18 businesses on the site.”
A spokesman for the council said talks were continuing.