A study into the feasibility of a new Fife railway line must be completed as soon as possible to keep the bid on track.
That was the claim by MSP David Torrance on Monday as concern was expressed that a campaign to reinstate the Levenmouth rail link could fail if the options appraisal is not published imminently.
The strategic transport appraisal (STAG) report was due at the start of last month but so far only the first stage outlining a number of transport options for the area has been released.
Mr Torrance said the transport minister would not take the rail campaign’s case seriously without the STAG report.
“It is holding everything up,” he said.
“Bids will be coming in from all over Scotland for new rail links and upgrades to existing lines so the quicker we can get our case to the minister, the better.
“Without the report, members of the Levenmouth Rail Campaign (LMRC) can’t proceed to the next stage and I can’t take them to Parliament to put their case.
“Everyone is waiting for it.”
With a population of more than 24,000, Levenmouth remains the largest urban area in Scotland without a direct rail link and it is widely believed access to a train would transform its economic fortunes.
“There are huge areas of deprivation in Levenmouth and a rail link would open the whole area up,” said Mr Torrance.
“Key to that is the STAG and it is vital it is finished as soon as possible.”
Allen Armstrong, secretary of LMRC, said he hoped the report would be ready by the end of this month or the start of October at the latest.
“It seems to be slipping but hopefully we won’t have too much longer to wait,” he said.
LMRC saw the first report, known as the pre-appraisal, last week and has already responded with a number of concerns.
“One option was to increase the bus links to Levenmouth and included the possibility of a direct bus from Buckhaven and Methil to Markinch railway station,” said Dr Armstrong.
“It seemed to us they were presenting the bus option rather rosily.
“It would still leave us very dependent on the whims of Stagecoach who are the ones who discontinued the Glasgow express without any consultation.”
He added: “The next report is the critical one though so we await that with interest.”
The Levenmouth rail link was closed to passengers in 1969 but campaigners hope the line between Leven and Thornton will be re-established with a rail halt at Cameronbrig.
As well as passengers, the route could also be used for freight with drinks firm Diageo and businesses at Methil docks considered key customers.