Transport in North East Fife

This week it was announced that Stagecoach will be cutting dozens of bus stops from services across North East Fife, resulting in almost 40 stops between St Andrews and Leven being dropped from Monday 29th July. As Scottish Lib Dem Cllr for East Neuk and Landward Sean Dillon has said, this sudden decision was made without proper engagement with affected communities. There also appears to have been very little done in terms of informing passengers ahead of the changes. People rely on these bus services to get around and this will disproportionately impact those in more remote North East Fife communities, where transport links are already far and few. 

Not only will rural communities be impacted, elderly residents and those with limited mobility will also be unfairly targeted. In addition to now having to travel further to the nearest stop, wheelchair users have also faced difficulty and delay travelling due to broken bus ramps and unmaintained wheelchair seats. Having met with a disabled constituent previously to see firsthand the challenges of negotiating footways, I know from ongoing engagement with her that access to buses remains an issue. Not only that, but there are a very limited number of disabled taxis currently operating in North East Fife.

When speaking to constituents about public transport links, they often describe a cycle of decline, where unreliable services mean people feel they have no option other than to use their cars, driving a further decline in usage and a reason for companies to reduce services further, compounding the problem. I’ll be seeking a meeting with Stagecoach and Moffat and Williamson (who have previously stepped in to deliver some services) to discuss longer term options.

It is a shame that people are forced to turn to cars as public transport is unreliable. Just last month the Levenmouth Rail Link opened and was hugely welcomed by the local community. It is such a great way to bring tourists into the Leven area whilst residents with daily commutes and bringing in visitors to allow local businesses to thrive. Although the temporary timetable put in place by Scotrail to mitigate pay related staff shortages has not directly impacted Leven (although it has Cupar), I’m concerned that these ongoing issues will mean continuing cancellations and delays in implementing the full timetable that Levenmouth was promised.

I have also written to the Scottish Secretary of State asking that we work inter-governmentally in order to secure funding for transport infrastructure. I remain frustrated that disability access at Leuchars has yet to receive upgrading funding. The newspaper reports of a wheelchair user being stranded in Kirkcaldy last week, having travelled from Levenmouth, show how much more needs to be done. It’s also clear that communities are keen to seek improved rail links, which is why I’ll be continuing to seek agreement to reinstate Newburgh Train Station.

Cycling is another key way for people to travel in a more environmentally friendly way, yet this has become increasingly difficult too. Many of the cycle paths across North East Fife have become dangerous due to being unmaintained for so long. Cyclists from the East Neuk to Guardbridge and St Andrews have contacted me about the risks of being blown into oncoming traffic or being nipped by a car because the lanes are not wide enough.

Even in cars, residents are not always met with a pleasant journey. Our roads still suffer potholes which not only have the potential to damage vehicles, but also pose hazards to unsuspecting pedestrians. Although Scottish Liberal Democrat councillors in Fife secured additional funding for pothole repairs, I know that for too many, the risk of damage to their vehicle is an ongoing consideration.

All of this does not take away from the functioning public transport we do have here in North East Fife and the hardworking bus and train drivers without whom none of these services would be possible. But post the General Election, it’s clear that transport remains a key issue for many.

If you are having issues with any form of transport, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or through my website.