EXTENDING car-parking at rail stations is a priority but Fife Council say their hands are tied until there is funding from the Scottish Government. 

Plans and designs have been made for more transport infrastructure in West Fife including a Rosyth park and choose, a multi-storey car park in Inverkeithing and increased capacity at Dalgety Bay. 

When the Press met the council’s transport officers last week they said they were committed to improving transport links but it was ultimately down to Transport Scotland to decide what is a priority. 

West Fife commuters have been complaining about a lack of parking, particularly at Inverkeithing station where passengers are attracted because of a greater volume of services. 

Derek Crowe, senior manager of Roads and Transportation Services, said: “Inverkeithing station is a hub and there’s a lot of pressure there. That is why we are talking about a Rosyth Park and Choose to divert traffic from an already congested area. 

“However, there is a constant demand at Inverkeithing and we continue to ask for more parking there.

"Following the success of Halbeath and Ferrytoll park and rides, we hope that there can be a partnership to build infrastructure at Rosyth which would create 500 spaces.”

The plans are part of the Crossforth Public Transport Strategy which is linked to major development to the west of Dunfermline. 

When questioned about West Fifers paying above the odds for rail fares, Mr Crowe added: “It is proven that Fifers are paying more for tickets than other parts of the country and that’s historical. 

“The administration continues to press ScotRail on this, but it needs to come from Transport Scotland. There should be equality across Scotland.”

A spokesman said the Scottish Government was “already actively supporting” the council’s aspirations for rail at Levenmouth and Longannet and through the city region deals for Edinburgh and Tayside.

They added: “We have also met with several campaign groups who have aspirations to increase local connectivity to Scotland’s railway network.

"Going forward, the evaluation of the Queensferry Crossing will include a review of cross Forth usage by public transport as part of the managed crossing strategy. 

“Any future decisions will be informed by this work and may be incorporated in the forthcoming second Strategic Transport Projects Review.”

STPR2 will itself be informed by the priorities currently being developed in the review of the National Transport Strategy.”