Politicians in Fife have called for a renewed focus on a long-discussed transport hub in the north-east of the county.
It follows ongoing discussions about public transport access at Forgan Roundabout, where the Stagecoach 99 service provides an important connection between North East Fife, Dundee and St Andrews, says Fife Today.
Councillor Jonny Tepp said the debate surrounding the roundabout bus stops highlights the need for a long-term transport solution for the area. His call has been supported by North East Fife’s parliamentarians, Wendy Chamberlain MP and Willie Rennie MSP.
The hub, sometimes described as a Park & Ride proposal, has been identified for many years as a potential strategic transport project serving the wider Tay corridor. In 2020, more than £230,000 was awarded to Fife Council from the Low Emission Zone Fund to update designs and complete planning applications for such a scheme, but that project remains on hold due to the need for further business case development and a lack of identified capital funding for construction.
Cllr Tepp said:
“The recent discussions about the Forgan Roundabout bus stops have reminded us of a much bigger question. Why does North East Fife still not have the transport hub that has been talked about for so many years?
“The 99 service is one of the most important public transport links serving our area, connecting communities with Dundee, St Andrews and beyond. Yet people continue to access that service from a location that was never designed to function as a major transport interchange.
“Whatever view people take on the current arrangements, I believe the time has come to revisit the wider vision for transport in North East Fife. That is why I am calling for a fresh conversation involving Fife Council, Transport Scotland, local communities and transport providers about what would be needed to bring this vision closer to reality.”
He was backed by Wendy Chamberlain MP who added:
“The idea of a transport hub at the Tay Bridgehead is not a new one. Variations of the proposal have been explored for well over a decade by local authorities, regional transport bodies and national partners.
“The location is strategically important. It sits at the gateway between North East Fife and Dundee on one of the busiest travel corridors in eastern Scotland.
“What we are really talking about is much more than a park-and-ride site. Modern transport hubs bring different forms of transport together in one place.
“A well-designed hub could allow people to switch easily between local bus services, longer-distance routes, active travel networks and future transport opportunities. It could also provide an attractive alternative to driving all the way into Dundee for work, education, healthcare and leisure.
“Such a facility could serve residents from Newport, Wormit, Tayport, Balmullo, Guardbridge and communities across North East Fife while improving access to public transport in a safer and more convenient way.”
Willie Rennie MSP accepted the competing priorities and funding pressures facing the council and national government, but added:
“This remains an important aspiration for our area and I believe residents deserve an update on its future prospects.
“The safety concerns around Forgan Roundabout are serious and I am pursuing those issues with the relevant authorities, but it also highlights the absence of the larger strategic solution that has been sitting on the shelf for many years. That is why there needs to be a fresh look at the transport hub proposals.”
(Picture: Mapillary)
