PLANS for the £6.4 million park and choose in Rosyth look set to become a "reality" with Fife Council preparing to approach Holyrood for funding.

They've already secured some money for the project, which will see a new facility built next to the railway station and allow commuters the option of hopping on a bus or catching a train.

Transport Scotland told the Press in 2017 that they would monitor demand at the Halbeath and Ferrytoll park and rides to see if another one was needed in Rosyth – and it looks like the numbers add up.

Last week, the Scottish Government said they were "already seeing successful outcomes from the public transport corridor with an increase in demand at Ferrytoll and Halbeath park and ride, increased bus patronage and an average of 500 buses using the Forth Road Bridge every day".

A Transport Scotland spokesperson told the Press: “The development of Rosyth Park and Choose is being taken forward by Fife Council.

“The council has secured funding of £140,000 from Transport Scotland’s Public Transport Provision Fund launched in October.

"The fund makes £10.3million available for local authorities to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure schemes that support LEZ (Low Emission Zone) objective delivery.”

Planning permission was granted in 2013 but the council said they needed finance from the Scottish Government to make it happen – they're also hoping they will get funding for a £7m-plus Halbeath rail halt too.

With an increase in the number of houses being built in West Fife and a rise in the number of vehicles, up to 80,000 a year, using the Queensferry Crossing, both local and national governments are keen to promote public transport.

Councillor Altany Craik, the transportation spokesperson, added: “Traffic around the bridgehead area continues to increase and we have to do as much as we can to help commuters and ease congestion.

"A new facility at Rosyth will help manage passenger demand and take the stress out of making this journey and I welcome the progress towards making these plans a reality.”

The council's service manager, John Mitchell, confirmed they were pushing ahead with their plans and said: “We were successful recently in a bid to Transport Scotland's Public Transport Provision Fund in securing £140,000 funding to update the planning application for the project, including reviewing and updating the design and environmental assessment.

"It is intended that the outcomes of this work will help inform the Scottish Government's Strategic Transport Projects Review, which is ongoing at present, with a view to securing further funding to deliver the project."

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley said: "Any investment to improve access to public transport is welcome.

"It is important that the council ensure full consultation with the community of Rosyth.

"I would, however, want to make clear that this proposal should not be seen as an alternative to a rail halt at Halbeath and I continue to urge the council to progress that project as well."

Green MSP Mark Ruskell said £120m of money from the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, to be spent on the Edinburgh bypass, should be used to fund the West Fife project.

He said: "What Fife commuters need more than anything is better, more affordable train and bus services, and places to leave their car in Fife, not more miles of road and junction that will only make congestion problems worse.

"This is the 21st century and we are in a climate emergency. Just a fraction of the £120m earmarked for this roundabout could build the long-awaited park and choose at Rosyth station, as well as supporting other public transport projects across the region.

"It’s time for Fife Council to pull their support for this city deal project and demand a share of the money for Fife commuters instead.”