On track for productive talks

Madam – It was reassuring to hear at Holyrood Portfolio Questions today (January 23) Michael Matheson, transport secretary, give an update of the progress of the business case report for the reinstatement of the Levenmouth line and confirm he is willing to meet with campaigners to discuss the project.

Many thousands of people have already shown their support for the plan for reopening the line between Leven and Thornton which would allow direct train services between Leven and Edinburgh.

The campaign also has, somewhat uniquely these days, complete cross party support.

When he does visit us he will no doubt be happy to discuss a range of questions such as:

How much funding has been or will be made available for new rail developments in Scotland, as opposed to simply trying to improve existing ones?

Do the existing control periods from the Office of Road and Rail and Network Rail still apply to Scottish proposals?

Is there a detailed timescale for a government response to the final business case report due in March?

What planning discussions/processes are in place involving Transport Scotland, Abellio and Network Rail to deal with future timetabling demands of new proposals such as Levenmouth?

What discussions have there been between Fife Council and the Scottish Government over the need to ensure land is available to create an effective transport hub with bus/train interchange and active travel provision?

Most people are well aware that the campaign is about more than simply six miles of track; it’s about bringing hope and prosperity to an area which has been battered by economic and social storms for decades; it’s about addressing the unfair system that sees billions spent on prosperous areas such as Edinburgh with the City Deal but little in Levenmouth; it’s about bringing a sense of urgency to an issue which has already seen three positive external reports and has been under Scottish Government consideration for decades.

We will welcome Mr Matheson warmly to our community and hope he will do what is in his power to expedite the Levenmouth Rail Project as quickly as possible.

Eugene Clarke. Chairman, Levenmouth Rail Campaign. College Street, Buckhaven.