FIFE COUNCIL is to write to ScotRail to express concerns over proposed timetable changes which would see services cut around they area.

Councillors agreed to a motion which will see them writing to the rail company and the Scottish Government to air their views and request an urgent meeting to highlight their fears.

The proposed changes, scheduled to begin in May 2022, would see around 300 routes a day being cut across Scotland with journey times increasing.

As reported previously in the Press, the alterations would see the removal of almost all direct trains between the two sides of the Fife Circle with a change at Inverkeithing required, the removal of all direct trains between Kirkcaldy and Perth, the reduction of semi-fast trains from Kirkcaldy to Edinburgh and increased journey times on the Perth to Edinburgh route.

At a meeting on Thursday, Councillor Altany Craik said the proposals would have a "wide-ranging" impact on communities and would lead to a reduction of services throughout Fife.

His motion, which was seconded by Liberal Democrat councillor Jane Ann Liston, asked the council to note "with concern" the proposed timetable changes.

"Council believes these changes will be counter-productive in terms of our efforts to reduce the carbon footprint and are extremely disappointing when considered in the context of the higher charges and service failures we have seen in Fife over recent years," he stated.

"The emerging pattern of commuter travel is by no means certain and working from home is still prevalent, making the scale of the proposed changes premature."

The motion said it welcomed provision for Leven and future expansion of the network but had concerns at increasing journey times and reductions of fast services.

The motion added: "Council further believes that the Scottish Government should have set out a comprehensive plan for encouraging the safe return to public transport rather than allowing further cuts to services which run against commitments to tackle climate change."

Dunfermline South councillor David J Ross expressed concerns for people with additional needs who, like himself, travelled by train.

"One of the greatest things about the Fife Circle is I can get on a train at Inverkeithing and go anywhere and don't have to change," he said. "If this proposal is accepted, that would not be the case any more and that is going to cause considerable difficulties for people with access difficulties.

"Most of the stations are totally unmanned for significant periods of the day. There may be help points at stations but if I am in a situation not familiar to me, it will be no use.

"I believe the current timetable and the removal of the Fife Circle services will have a significant effect on people's ability to get around Fife. With less services, there is also increased chance of overcrowding if we ever get back to normal."

Consultation on the proposed changes ends tomorrow (Friday). Anyone wanting their say should visit https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/fit-future.