Council backs call to explore rail link

PERTH and Kinross Council is to ask the Scottish Government to explore proposals for a new rail link between Perth and Edinburgh.

The local authority agreed to the move — despite an attempt by one Perth representative to persuade the council to take a more “pragmatic approach”.

Councillor Andrew Parrott said more realistic targets might include the reopening of the line from Cowdenbeath to Kinross, a new station at Kinross and an integrated coach service from there to Perth railway station. His proposals were contained in an amendment put forward to a motion to the full council.

Kinross-shire councillors Callum Purves and Mike Barnacle had asked members to consider a plea that the leader of the council Ian Campbell should write to the Scottish Government expressing the local authority’s desire for a review of the Edinburgh-Perth rail link question.

Mr Purves said reinstating the line, which closed in the early ’70s to make way for the M90, and opening stations at Kinross and Bridge of Earn would be “a real boon” to the local economy.

Mr Parrott tabled an amendment which pointed out that the reinstatement of the rail line between Perth and Edinburgh via Kinross was “very unlikely” given previous infrastructure decisions.

His amendment recognised the significant benefit a park and ride station at Kinross would have and said the council should push for the reopening of the line from Cowdenbeath to a new Kinross station south of the town, together with an integrated coach service from there to Perth railway station.

“I applaud investment in rail but I believe we have to be pragmatic,” he said.

However, the full council backed the motion calling for the Perth to Edinburgh option to be explored by 22 votes to 15.

David Dorward, left, and some of the parents above.