Construction has begun on Fife’s new £10m transport interchange.

Halbeath 'Park and Choose' will become Fife’s new transport hub and will include six bus stances, a facilities building and parking space for 1,000 vehicles.

It will be located north of Crossgates roundabout in Dunfermline and is being built to support the New Forth Crossing.

The new hub will provide bus-interchange services as well as facilitate car-sharing schemes.

Stirling-based group Robertson are carrying out the construction work, which is expected to be completed by October 2013.

Funding for the project has come from Transport Scotland.

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Transport Minister Keith Brown was at the site yesterday as part of the breaking-ground process.

He said: "When completed, [the hub] will provide opportunities for car-sharing and free parking for over 1,000 vehicles. It will also deliver better access to bus services, making public transport more attractive to the public due to significant reductions in journey times thanks to dedicated bus lanes.

"We remain determined to cut carbon emissions and improve public transport, which is why we are providing significant funding to help Fife Council build on the progress of the existing Ferrytoll Park & Ride scheme, as well as complement the new Forth Replacement Crossing scheme."

Fife Council’s Executive Spokesperson for Transport & Environment, Cllr. Pat Callaghan, added: "Three quarters of the vehicles travelling south for the Forth Bridge will pass within a mile of Halbeath Park & Choose, and we want to replicate the great service already provided by Ferrytoll Park & Ride."

Andrew Cowan, Robertson Group CEO, said: "We have planned the delivery of this scheme to be efficient, with careful planning to ensure that the positive economic impact is maximised. Once complete the unique design will become a landmark for the town."

(IT)