Rail link the only solution to traffic woes, say campaigners

Campaigners fighting for the return of a rail link to St Andrews say their plans are the only way to resolve the town’s traffic, parking and congestion problems.

The Courier last week highlighted a proposal to pedestrianise Market Street and build a multistorey car park at Petheram Bridge.

Members of the public are being urged to have their say on the scheme.

However, leaders of the St Andrews Rail Link (StARLink) campaign say it cannot be discussed without looking at a wider shift to cut the number of cars coming into the town in the first place.

Secretary Dita Stanis-Traken said a report in 2012 included an option for a single-storey car park at Petheram Bridge but suggested that might not be needed due to the likely reduction in cars if the railway was reintroduced.

He added: “With the inclusion of a St Andrews rail link feasibility component in Fife Council’s Tay Cities Deal bid and the cross-party support the proposal now enjoys from all five major parties, is it not time for all our local councillors to follow the lead of their parliamentary colleagues and throw their support behind the only proper solution to the town’s traffic, parking and congestion problems, ie a new St Andrews rail link?

“With a rail link in place – and only with a rail link in place – can we then have a serious discussion about potential pedestrianisation of Market Street or other areas of St Andrews.”

Another study in 2016 said the effect of a park-and-ride scheme on congestion would be negligible.