After lengthy delays and years of campaigning by local politicians, Network Rail has now submitted plans to Fife Council for permission to construct a disabled access ramp to the southbound platform.

The platform is currently only acessible via two steep flights of stairs, making it out of bounds for many rail passengers with mobility problems, as well as for those with children in buggies.

Network Rail told the Fife Herald that if plans are given the go-ahead, work could begin by June or July with an expected completion date of March 2011.

Several options have been mooted in the past as a way of creating access to the platform, including an over-rail ramp similar to the one at Leuchars station as well as a lift system giving access from the northbound platform to the bridge and then down to the further away platform.

However, the option put forward for planning consent this month involves the construction of a ramp solely on the south side.

In the application to the local authority Network Rail's Andrew Roberts states that a lift was not considered as a viable option due to the impact at street level.

The ramp, which would use up some of the space behind the waiting room, was favoured instead.

Passengers will also be able to use the ticket machine on the platform to pay for their journey.

Welcoming the news, North East Fife MSP Iain Smith said he was pleased a planning application had finally been lodged — but also highlighted his frustration at the time it has taken for progress to happen.

Mr Smith said: "This is not before time. It is now three years since our campaign secured the funding for a disabled access and I, along with many of my constituents have been frustrated by the apparent heel dragging by Transport Scotland and Network Rail."

Read more in the Fife Herald.