DUNFERMLINE and West Fife could miss out on major transport improvements after a “very Edinburgh-centric” £1 billion deal was signed.

Despite the huge sums of money involved, there's no commitment for the investment plans that Fife politicians want backing for as part of the Edinburgh and South East of Scotland City Region Deal.

It is believed that projects such as the re-opening of the Dunfermline to Glasgow rail-link, a rail halt at Halbeath Park and Ride and the £6.4 million Rosyth park and choose were submitted by Fife Council in March.

Fife Conservative group leader, Dave Dempsey, said: "We don’t object to money being spent in Edinburgh – better there than hundreds of miles away – but we need to ensure that Fife isn’t left behind or forgotten.”

The Scottish Government, six local authorities (Fife, Edinburgh, the three Lothian authorities and the Scottish Borders), the UK Government and regional partners have signed up to the deal. 

Both the UK and Scottish governments will invest £300m with £400m provided by the councils and universities. The investment is expected to create around 21,000 jobs in the region.

However, councillors say there is no clarity over how the money will be spent in the Kingdom.

Fife Council’s co-leader David Ross said it had "built its city deal asks around innovation and inclusive growth" and the deal was a "step forward" in creating more jobs and opportunities in Fife.  

But he added: “The deal announced today falls short of what we were looking for to accelerate growth and ensure that the benefits of that growth are distributed more equally across the region, but it is a significant step in the right direction.”

Cllr Dempsey said the deal was "very Edinburgh-centric" and stated: “Fife Council is ready to pump £30 million of capital into the deal yet it remains unclear what this will deliver for Fife beyond vague knock-on benefits from improved transport infrastructure in Edinburgh.”

MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, Douglas Chapman, admitted the “vast majority” of investment will be carried out in the capital.

He said: “While we cannot be too parochial about this, I am sure Fife Council will be robust in arguing the case for further investment in West Fife and, as a key partner, will be maximising the spin-off benefits for the Kingdom from the deal, even if the direct investment is not made here.”

Green MSP Mark Ruskell said the deal "prioritises Edinburgh and only serves to further turn Fife into a car-dependent commuter belt for the capital". 

He said it was a "step backwards from earlier proposals" which included funding for the Dunfermline to Glasgow rail link and the Rosyth park and ride.