500 signatures reached
To: Scottish Government, Transport Scotland
Re-instate the Leven rail link NOW!
Reinstate passenger and freight services connecting Leven directly to Edinburgh and the national rail network
Levenmouth on the Fife Coast (comprising the contiguous settlements of Leven, Methil, Buckhaven, Windygates, Kennoway, and Wemyss Villages), is by far the largest urban population in Scotland not served by direct rail links. Extending existing Fife Circle rail services from Thornton-with-Glenrothes on the east coast mainline to Leven would serve a catchment of 38,000 in Levenmouth and around 10,000 in the adjoining East Neuk of Fife
Closed to passenger traffic in 1969, the 5 mile long track is fully intact and was used regularly for freight until 2001 and the first mile from the Junction was reopened in 2012. This lies in Network Rail ownership, currently `mothballed'. A STAG (Feasibility) Report concluded November 2015, the second in 7 years, demonstrated a very positive economic case for reinstatement.
What are we still waiting for?
Why is this important?
1. Scotland's largest urban area without a rail link. Even Beeching's Report recommended this stretch remain open
2. Strong business case for both passenger and freight use (Diageo, Fife Energy Park, Methil Docks etc)
3. Address high levels of deprivation following closure of traditional industries
4. Road links to Levenmouth are poor so rail services would cut road congestion and carbon
5. Existing Fife Circle services offering hourly connections to Edinburgh and the wider network are easily extended, while the track is fully intact. The investment cost is modest.
6. Justice demands this area should receive similar transport services to other, much smaller communities across the country
How it will be delivered
We will stage a press conference and deliver them in person
