Campaigners pushing for the reopening of the Levenmouth rail link have called on the area’s Holyrood election hopefuls to show their support for the project.
Members of the Levenmouth Rail Campaign (LMRC) say they have contacted every candidate standing in any of the Fife constituencies to ask that they issue a statement backing the ambitious plans to restore rail services to the area after several decades’ absence.
Chairman Eugene Clarke said: “There is clear evidence now in not one but two official reports that the line should reopen.
“Whether you look at the business, employment, environmental or social impact of the line there is no doubt that it would have the single biggest impact of any structural development in the area in 50 years.
“The local community is overwhelmingly behind the project, believing it long overdue.”
Campaigners have long argued that Levenmouth is the largest urban area in Scotland not directly served by rail, despite the presence of the existing mothballed line between Thornton which is on the main east coast line and Leven.
The Leven railway dates back to 1854 and became part of the loop line of the North British Railway linking Thornton junction and Leuchars junction via St Andrews in the 19th Century.
However, the railway between Leven and St Andrews closed in 1964-65, before the Leven to Thornton line closed to freight in 1966 and passengers in 1969.
The five-mile stretch was used for hauling coal until 2001 and the LMRC argue that the restoration of both passenger and freight services would shift extra traffic off the motorways.
“In any dealings with prospective candidates and parties, we would urge anyone across Levenmouth and the East Neuk to raise the issue of the rail link,” Mr Clarke concluded.
“It offers a simple litmus test as to whether any party or candidate will do something meaningful for our neglected community.”