COUNCILLORS want Network Rail to tell them when long-delayed improvements to three railway stations will arrive.
Representatives from the company will be invited to the Cowdenbeath area committee to answer questions about the facilities and accessibility issues at Cardenden, Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly.
Improvements are included in the Cowdenbeath Area Transport Plan 2025-35 which contains more than 100 actions the council want to see delivered within the next decade.
All three stations pose problems for wheelchair users, prams and people with limited mobility with steep walkways and a lack of step-free access to platforms.
Councillors want a timetable for when improvements at three railway stations will be carried out. (Image: Google)
Cllr Rosemary Liewald questioned why accessibility improvements at Lochgelly Railway Station were marked as a "priority" in the plan but with a medium timeframe.
She said: "I'm not sure if you've ever visited the station but in terms of accessibility, and this is no over-exaggeration, it's like climbing the north face of the Eiger.
"It is appalling. Nobody with any disability whatsoever can access that side of the bridge.
"People have put up with the condition of Lochgelly Train Station for decades and it's time it was improved."
Cllr Aly Bain added: "At Cowdenbeath Railway Station we proposed a longer ramp for accessibility. That was 18 years ago. I believe it's up to Network Rail to carry this out so I don't see it happening any time soon."
Emma Gilmour, the council's lead consultant for transport networks, confirmed that railway station improvements are down to Network Rail and they would try and ask for speedier resolutions.
Back in 2018 councillors and local residents said only 'a mountain goat' could get to the platform' at Cardenden Railway Station. (Image: Newsquest)
She said: "They're working on the electrification of the Fife Circle and the delivery of new electric trains, which we haven't got the exact timeframe for.
"It's their words that Lochgelly is a priority and medium is the timeframe they said they were comfortable with."
Cllr Erskine said: "Lochgelly Train Station was supposed to get getting moved as part of the charrette that reported back in 2010. Nothing happened but there certainly was a proposal to move the station to another site to make it more accessible.
"Cowdenbeath Train Station is no more or less accessible than Lochgelly.
"And at Cardenden it's a very steep exit if you're coming off the north side so all three stations that serve our ward should be looked at."
Melanie Ward MP said Cowdenbeath's rail station was "unacceptably inaccessible". (Image: Melanie Ward)
Access to platform two at Cardenden was previously slammed as "dangerous and life threatening" for wheelchair users and only of use "to a mountain goat".
Earlier this year the Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy MP, Melanie Ward, described Cowdenbeath's rail station as "unacceptably inaccessible" and relayed her concerns to transport chiefs.
She had said: “Improving accessibility at Cowdenbeath Train Station is long overdue. The steep ramps, combined with barriers, make it difficult for people with mobility issues, parents with prams, and those carrying heavy luggage to access the platform safely.
“The lack of designated disabled parking, limited shelter, and poor toilet access only add to the challenges. Everyone should be able to travel with dignity and ease, and it’s time for urgent action to make Cowdenbeath Station fully accessible to all.”
The committee agreed to ask Network Rail to come to a future meeting.
Share