Moves to reopen a defunct Fife railway line have taken a significant step forward with a feasibility study getting under way.
Work has finally begun to update a Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) report commissioned in 2008 on calls to reinstate the Levenmouth rail link.
It is expected to be completed by the beginning of August.
The five-mile stretch of track between Leven and Thornton closed in the 1960s. Fife Council has committed £100,000 towards the cost of the STAG, saying the creation of the route to link with the Fife circle line at Thornton is one of their top transportation priorities.
News that the STAG is finally ongoing came as Fife Council approved funding for a campaign manager to help spearhead the push to reopen the link.
Up to £25,000 has been earmarked to cover the cost of an expert to work alongside members of the Levenmouth Rail Campaign (LMRC).
The funding has been welcomed by LMRC spokesman Allen Armstrong, who said the technical study would not be enough on its own.
“There needs to be a gearing up on the lobbying side of things and expertise is needed beyond the capability of our committee,” he said.
“We need someone who can give guidance on what we should be doing while also trying to pull some strings at a national level.”