Rural communities ‘cut off by lack of bus services’ in west Fife

Councillors back interchange idea to connect villages

West Fife communities are being cut off because of a lack of bus services say local councillors.

Conservative councillors Mino Manekshaw and Dave Dempsey have backed Stagecoach’s suggestion of a bus interchange at High Valleyfield, with connecting services to villages including Torryburn, Cairneyhill, Crossford and Charlestown.

Mr Manekshaw said providing more local bus services would help prevent elderly people in rural areas from becoming isolated, as well as connecting young people with work and training opportunities.

“There’s so much focus on social isolation and exclusion. It’s about getting people involved in the community and providing a transport system which supports that,” he said.

“There’s also the issue of older drivers being safe to drive – in many ways they are under pressure to keep driving.”

Stagecoach currently runs a service between Dunfermline and Kincardine, which stops in Saline, Oakley and Valleyfield but bypasses many villages.

The company said it is keen to discuss options for improving the area’s transport links.

“There is not a single stop between Cairneyhill and Kincardine,” said Mr Manekshaw. “In order to maintain economies, buses have got to cover a certain distance in a certain time.”

He called for the council to consider innovative ways to run a localised feeder service to west Fife villages.

“The solution doesn’t have to be provided by a bus company. Future services could be provided by local groups or charitable groups,” said the west Fife and coastal villages councillor.

The idea of an interchange at High Valleyfield was mooted by the Longannet Task Force set up to mitigate the impact on communities of the closure of the Kincardine power station.

Scott Hall, commercial manager for Stagecoach East Scotland, said: “As part of our ongoing engagement, we have recently had several constructive meetings with councillors regarding local public transport access in west Fife.

“Stagecoach East Scotland have previously suggested the need for a transport interchange in the Valleyfield area, allowing access from west Fife to nearby towns and cities via our local and Express City Connect networks.

“We look forward to continuing these discussions.”

The issue is to be considered by councillors next month.

There is not a single stop between Cairneyhill and Kincardine. COUNCILLOR MINO MANEKSHAW