COWDENBEATH MSP Annabelle Ewing is keeping the pressure on in the campaign for improved rail services on the Fife Circle.

Ms Ewing met with the ScotRail chief along with Fife colleagues early in January to air her concern about experiences of constituents using Cardenden, Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath stations and others on the Fife Circle.

Writing to Alex Hynes, Managing Director of the Scotrail Alliance and Roy Brannen, Chief Executive of Transport Scotland, Ms Ewing has described the delays, cancellations and significant overcrowding her constituents are still facing, every other day, on Circle trains.

Speaking this morning (Thursday) Ms Ewing said: “Following a meeting with Mr Hynes of Scotrail, I had understood that we were to see a step change in the service being offered to my constituents using the Fife Circle.

“I now want an update on the commitment that was made at that meeting that Fife would be a priority for the delivery of freed-up rolling stock.

“And yet, my constituents are still facing, every other day, delays, cancellations and significant and even dangerous overcrowding on Fife Circle trains".

Ms Ewing added: “Indeed, the Fife Circle is consistently in the top ten league table for overcrowded trains. Given that, I would have thought ensuring 6-carriage trains, at least at peak times, for the Fife Circle would be of paramount importance.

“Whilst I understand that Scotrail was let down by Hitachi in the timely supply of their new trains, we are several weeks on and the rolling stock that those trains free up must be starting to come on stream now.

“I have also written to Roy Brennan of Transport Scotland asking him what his organisation can do to ensure that my constituents receive a better service from the franchise holder?

“I want to know from him what – if any – role Transport Scotland can have in ensuring that freed-up rolling stock comes to the Fife Circle as a matter of priority.

“As well as writing to Mr Hynes and Mr Brennan, I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Michael Matheson informing him of my concerns.

“Along with my fellow SNP MSPs representing Fife constituencies, I recently met with Alex Hynes and we are seeking a similar meeting with Transport Scotland.”