Campaigner backs new Perth rail link but concerned about impact on Fife

A rail campaigner has welcomed the possibility of a direct rail link between Edinburgh and Perth that could cut journey times by 35 minutes.

However, she is concerned that, if the new service ever did come into being, it could leave gaps in the service for North East Fife.

Transform Scotland has renewed calls for the restoration of the Edinburgh to Perth line, which was shut in the 1970s to allow work to be carried out on the M90. The restored route proposed by the group would go straight to Perth through Kinross.

Jane Ann Liston, convener of STARlink, told The Courier: “One big advantage of the Glenfarg line would be avoiding the kinked tunnel between Burntisland and Kinghorn, which requires all trains to slow down to something like 30 mph.

“It would also reduce traffic across the Tay Bridge, which should free up capacity, firstly, allowing the handful of trains, which currently don’t stop at Leuchars due to the high girders restriction of only one train at a time to do so and, secondly, making it easier to fit in a new service to St Andrews.

“My one concern, though, would be the effect of rerouting the East Coast main line away from Fife, especially North East Fife.”