Optimism As Rail Campaigners Await Report

'Cautiously optimistic' is how campaigners for a new Levenmouth rail link say they're feeling ahead of a report released next month.

The STAG report, which looks at how viable reopening the Leven to Thornton rail line would be, is being carried out by Fife Council and SEStran. A number of different transport options are being considered.

The line closed in 1969 and campaigners say reopening it would bring employment benefits to an area badly affected by poverty.

Eugene Clarke from the Levenmouth Rail Campaign said: "'Around 37,500 live in Levenmouth in and that rises to some 50,000 if you include the East Neuk and new housing developments planned.

''That's by far the largest urban population in Scotland that isn't served by a direct rail link and we believe the arguments for reinstating what is an existing, not a new, line are overwhelming. 'Fife Council has long supported the re-opening of the link and it's hard to imagine that the revised STAG will come up with a different conclusion than it did seven years ago.

''We believe that a fresh, positive STAG report coupled with the council's clearly stated commitment that the Leven line is their number one transport priority for Fife, will persuade the Scottish Government that this is a viable and worthwhile project.''