Businesses demand rethink over plans to close bridge for 14 months

Residents in Fife are calling for a full rethink of plans to close a key road bridge for 14 months as part of a major rail electrification project.

The closure, which would affect access to the village of Thornton, has already been postponed by Network Rail following backlash from the local community.

However, residents remain concerned the disruption could still go ahead in its current form.

Lydia Paterson, whose family has run a fish and chip shop in Thornton for more than 70 years, says the proposed closure could have serious consequences for local businesses.

“Businesses in the village rely heavily on passing trade and without that it’s a major concern,” she told STV News.

“We’ve got to hope and pray that our customers want to come down here and with a nine-mile diversion the chances are slim.

“They need to go back and look at ways in which they can have a temporary system there – possibly closing the train station.

“I think the timescale has to be dramatically reduced for people to be on board with it.”

Farmer David Laird, who owns land on both sides of the bridge, says the impact on his work would also be significant.

He said: “When we’re busy we can use the bridge as many as 60 times a day – that’s a big detour and could add 500 extra miles of tractor traffic in a day.”

The bridge closure forms part of a £350m project to electrify railway lines across Fife.

Following a public meeting last week where concerns were raised, Network Rail confirmed the plans have been delayed.

Despite the postponement, residents say uncertainty remains and are urging a full review of the proposals.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said the project start date had been deferred to allow time to listen to the local community and make changes where possible.

A further meeting is due to take place next week, followed by another in May after the company has reviewed feedback from the public.