12/05/2008 01:49:00
An MSP for Fife in Scotland has claimed that putting trains back on a railway line between Leven and Thornton would cost only £20 million.
According to the BBC, Tricia Marwick stated that tracks and signals along the line are still in place, but have not been sufficiently maintained. Re-opening the Levenmouth line would provide valuable public transport options to residents in south Fife, including a new rail service to Edinburgh.
The claims have further highlighted the efforts of campaigners to restore the branch line to St Andrews, which has been closed since the 1960s.
Currently, passengers travelling to St Andrews by rail must take the east coast line to Leuchars, before completing their journey to the seaside town by bus.
Campaigners have complained that the lack of a direct rail link to St Andrews causes traffic and congestion on roads in and around the city.
The BBC states that Sir Menzies Campbell, former Liberal Democrat leader and MP for North-East Fife, said: "The case for Levenmouth is extremely strong and adds weight to the restoration of the St Andrews link.
"If Levenmouth is being viewed as a serious option then St Andrews should be treated as a similar priority."
At £20 million, the cost of restoring the Levenmouth line is miniscule in comparison to that of the Glasgow Crossrail project, which aims to connect Glasgow's Central and Queen Street Stations.
Sandra White, a Scottish National Party list MSP for Glasgow, said last month that she expected the cost of the Crossrail plan to be close to £200 million.