MP, Douglas Chapman, has requested that Fife Council revisit the decision to charge commuters £1 a day to use the Park and Ride facilities at Halbeath and Ferrytoll.

MP for Crossgates, Hill of Beath and Moss-side, Mr Chapman said: “I know that in joint council administrations there has to be a bit of political horse trading to be done on the budget, but I have to protect the interests of my constituents who use Ferrytoll and Halbeath Park and Ride car parks.

“I am also supporting the Scottish Government’s ambitious climate change targets and to reach these targets we need more people to reduce use of their cars and encourage more of them to turn to safe, efficient, public transport. The bus services from Ferrytoll and Halbeath are very good but there should be no disincentive for members of the public to make that shift in behaviour from car to bus".

He added this week: “I have a great deal of sympathy with our councillors in balancing their budget, but Fife now has access to a dedicated public transport lane via the Forth Road Bridge and I want to see that being used by busy buses.

"Considerable investment has been made in that public transport corridor and I feel nothing should be done that undermines the real value of that investment as it supports people who want to put the environment first and be good citizens by leaving their car behind. That positive shift in behaviour should not be penalised".

He concluded: “I have written to Fife Council with a range of questions to find out what consultation took place with park and ride users in advance of this proposal appearing in the budget papers? How much will the council profit from applying this charge? When will this plan reach break even point as the charging regime will have to be cost monitored, have money collected and perhaps incur cost such as new entrance and exit barriers?

“I know Labour have been trying to introduce charging at Ferrytoll and Halbeath for a number of years, but whatever their political persuasion, I hope that all councillors will revisit this decision as quickly as possible and reach the conclusion that, while it may raise extra revenue in the short term, in support of long term environment and transport policy it is simply the wrong call.”