EDINBURGH'S trams could run into West Fife under new proposals from six Scottish councils which would see improved railways links and thousands of new homes.

A Forth ferry and outdoor tourism plans for an area off the M90 would also be considered as part of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the Edinburgh and the South-East Scotland area.

Although not replacing the development plans drawn up previously, the proposals bring together the wish lists of the six local authorities.

After an interim strategy was given the thumbs-up by the SESPlan joint committee last week, each council now has to ratify the document with Fife Council's economy tourism strategic planning and transportation committee due to consider it today (Thursday).

Once this is done, the strategy would then be submitted to the Scottish Government for approval.

In a report to councillors, Fife Council development plan service manager Bill Lindsay said the strategy hadn't started from scratch.

"It commits to supporting the level of growth in SESplan2 and the area of North-East Fife which is now incorporated within the strategy area. The six South-East Scotland local authorities will work together for the benefit of the region and Scotland as a whole," he said.

"A series of shared overarching themes have been agreed through which the economic and environmental prosperity of the region and benefits to health and wellbeing will be realised."

Transport links in West Fife could well improve if the strategy is adopted.

The report states: "The Alloa-Dunfermline rail line will open up the Fife Circle to wider connections with access to Rosyth Port and opportunities to re-open a direct rail link via Kinross would improve connectivity in Fife and northwards and link to significant growth in south Fife."

Bus services around Edinburgh would be improved, which would have a knock-on effect for West Fife.

"These projects should be supplemented by the delivery of the Edinburgh City orbital bus route, extending the Edinburgh tram network to areas adjacent to Edinburgh, including South Fife, and identifying new Park and Ride opportunities," it adds.

The idea of a Forth ferry – and additional opportunities for the development of routes from Rosyth – are also mooted.

"Sea connectivity is a very sustainable travel option which is currently very under-utilised in a commercial and leisure sense. Sea connections to the rest of the UK and beyond are important and need to be developed further," the report continues.

"Opportunities for freight and leisure facilities at Leith, Rosyth and Burntisland, as well as the potential for cruise facilities at Cockenzie require to be explored.

"Travel across the Forth needs to be improved with routes made available between Fife and East Lothian.

"In West Fife, the Port of Rosyth can enhance import and export infrastructure, linked by improved road and rail corridors, including freight rail access via the Fife Circle.

"On the M90, regional growth/investment zones have the potential to strengthen Fife’s outdoor leisure and tourism opportunities and further economic development potential."

Dunfermline could also benefit from the provision of more than 21,000 new homes by 2030.

"Ongoing planned strategic growth of Dunfermline is the largest of the City Region’s development areas, with levels of strategic infrastructure investment highest outwith a Scottish city," states the report.

"Fife will build on this strong growth around Dunfermline and the Forth bridgehead area through further development across the former Fife coalfield communities, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, and through to Levenmouth to regenerate communities and strengthen town centres.

"This requires public sector collaboration, Government investment and partnership working with the private sector to achieve investment in physical and community infrastructure such as transportation, water and drainage and education."

Councillor Russell Imrie, SESPlan convener, said "significant investment" would be required for the level of growth outlined.

He added: "Fellow leaders, planning leads and I believe that the strategy provides a flexible framework to address the challenges ahead and we remain, as a partnership, committed to working with government and agencies to ensure that the necessary investment to support the strategy is in place."