A REQUEST from the Scottish Government for projects to be included in its National Planning Framework has prompted St Andrews Community Council and Fife Council to propose the revival of a St Andrews rail link.
Jane Ann Liston, the convener ofStARlink St Andrews Rail Link said yesterday the support was “all very encouraging” and she urged others to back the project.
Ms Liston told The Courier: “The interest taken by Fife Council is an illustration of the growing realisation that a rail connection to St Andrews is a project of strategic as well as local importance, because the town is a national contributer to the Scottish economy, and is recognised as such by Visitscotland and Scottish Enterprise.
“It could be argued that enhancing the connectivity of St Andrews with Edinburgh, Dundee and the rest of Fife, will better enable it to play its part in the economic recovery.”
St Andrews Community Council chairman Kyffin Roberts added: “There is no doubt that those who have campaigned over many years for the St Andrews rail link will be encouraged by Fife Councils actions.”
Earlier this year, after decades of campaigning, a feasibility study was commissioned by StARLink with financial support from Rail Future Scotland, St Andrews Community Council and Rail Future UK, as well as from individuals.
According to StARLink, the new alignment proposed in the study is a 21st century answer to the transport requirements of St Andrews.
But with the estimate for the five miles of track currently £76 million, and other route issues, some have questioned whether the project is truly feasible.
St Andrews Labour councillor Brian Thomson is one of them.
He said: “I support the principle of encouraging more sustainable forms of transport, however, the feasibility report published earlier this year raises a number of major issues, which should be addressed before the proposed project proceeds any further.
“Some of the proposals containedin the report appear to be clearlyunviable and, until solutions are identified, I would have significant concerns if it was proposed to spend any public money on further feasibility work.”