Levenmouth folk more cut off than ever

Sir, – Levenmouth folk wishing to attend sports and cultural events around Scotland over the summer face more travel challenges than ever.

Deteriorating bus services (such as the withdrawal of direct Leven-Glasgow express services in May) combine with increasing road congestion (exacerbated by extended Queensferry crossing repairs) to make journeys difficult.

Look at the recent Open golf championships.

If Leven was linked to the national rail network, it’s a manageable, approximately one hour trip to Carnoustie or Golf Street Halt, with no bus connections or parking problems and costs at the other end.

Train travel even grants the visitor the choice to have an alcoholic beverage or two on a day out.

East Fife supporters complain they are one of only four teams in the 42-strong Scottish Professional Football League without a rail connection, the other three being much smaller towns.

This reduces crowds at New Bayview and the ability to follow the team to away games.

All the great summer cultural events lined up in Edinburgh and, increasingly Dundee, presently involve tedious and long journeys by so-called express bus or equally as a car user confronting the trials of suffocating congestion to and within the capital city.

Yet another survey of business travel requirements is going on right now organised by Transport Scotland but the solution is plain and simple and eminently affordable – get the existing line dusted down and rail services back into operation.

Stuart Mcintosh. Kirkland Walk, Methil.

The overgrown railway lines at Leven. A correspondent adds to the calls to get the rail service back in operation and improve Levenmouth’s accessibility to surrounding areas.