Politicians are at loggerheads as the campaign to reopen a defunct railway line gathers pace.
MSP David Torrance and Fife Council leader David Ross have entered into a war of words over the issue, despite the fact both are committed to getting the Levenmouth rail link reinstated.
Community campaigners have now stepped in, in a bid to quell the row amid fears it could derail their cause.
Allen Armstrong, interim secretary of the Levenmouth Rail Campaign (LMRC), said: “This is not a party-political issue and there should not be any argument.”
The drive to reopen the four-mile stretch of track between Leven and Thornton to passengers has picked up in recent months and hopes of success are higher than ever.
However, Mr Torrance has publicly accused Fife Council of inaction on the matter and claimed that it does not see the potential of a railway in the area.
The council has asserted that a rail link for Levenmouth remains one of its top transport priorities and £2 million set aside for the campaign in 2011 is still available.
But following a question from the SNP MSP in the Scottish Parliament last week, Transport Minister Keith Brown said the local authority had not raised the possibility of reopening the line with him this year.
Mr Torrance said: “I am disappointed that Fife Council does not appear to see the potential and the rewards that might be reaped by the reopening of the Levenmouth rail link.
“I would urge them to reassess their position with regard to this issue and to recognise the necessity of placing it high on the agenda, and of the beneficial impact the re-establishment of the rail would have on the area.
“As I have mentioned previously on several occasions, the reopening of this rail link would be of immense benefit to the local community on many different levels.
“Not only would it ease the ability of commuters and visitors to move more freely and quickly within the area, but would boost the economy.
“It would provide a more efficient link for business already in operation and an incentive to those looking to invest in the area, thus providing more job opportunities.”
Mr Ross reacted furiously to the comments, saying he had written to the transport minister on May 28, requesting a meeting to discuss the issue, and had been told his request would be given “careful consideration”.
“David Torrance knows this very well because I told him verbally and I wrote to him telling him this,” he said. “He is playing political games and trying to point score against the council and I will tell him so.
“The sad thing is I think there is a real opportunity here. The link between Thornton and Earlseat to carry coal from the opencast site is complete. Now it’s just a case of pushing it to open the entire line.”
Mr Ross said he was not prepared to spend council money on further studies until he was sure the Scottish Government, which is responsible for investing the bulk of the cash needed, was fully committed.
“That’s why I want to meet Keith Brown, to ensure he is not just stringing us along.”
Mr Armstrong said: “This is an issue for the wider good of the neglected and deprived Levenmouth area and we don’t want politics to come into it.
“The campaign needs to speak with a clear and unequivocal voice for it to have any weight, so we are slightly disappointed by this turn of events.”