Campaign calls for Fife railway line to reopen
A new report by rail campaigners has called for councils and the Scottish Government to back an ambitious strategy which includes reopening the Dunfermline to Stirling line.
The report says Scotland is long overdue new investment in rail and that the opening of the new Queensferry Crossing could lead to a shift towards more car use if the rail network is not expanded to reflect growing demand.
It calls for funding to be made available for feasibility studies into reopening the Stirling to Dunfermline line , Levenmouth rail link and the St Andrews rail link, as well as new stations at Newburgh and Halbeath.
Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “It’s time to build on the phenomenal success of the StirlingAlloa passenger service and open up the route all the way to Dunfermline.
“After the current rail electrification project is completed in 2019 there will be a gap in rail investment unless we can move forward now in completing the business cases for new lines and station reopenings.
“We’re putting forward a package of five new stations and lines which will significantly increase access to the rail network for thousands of households in Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Fife, as well as open up important freight routes that could take a significant amount of traffic off the roads.
“We’re asking for a mixture of city deal funding and support from the Scottish Government to fund the feasibility studies into these projects and for councils to back this strategic vision for rail services.
“The Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Deal should be supporting the development of a business case to reopen the line to Dunfermline now Longannet Power Station is closed.”
The report‘Breaking the Circle’was produced by rail campaigners, Mr Ruskell and Alloa Community Council.
Clacks and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown said: “The Stirling-Alloa line, which I championed both as a councillor and MSP, has been a great success and of significant benefit to the community.
“The city deal offers a number of opportunities but it is entirely up to the local authorities to bring forward their priorities, which will be considered by both Scottish and UK Governments in due course.
“As a representative who covers the entire area, Mark Ruskell will have had the opportunity to engage with the councils involved to share his views.
“I understand that, supported by the Scottish Government, both Clackmannanshire and Fife Councils have already commenced investigations into opening up the railway towards Fife for passengers as part of the LongannetTaskforce.”