Leven Railway stations confirmed

Published date : 15 Jun 2021

Local MSPs welcome progress

Transport Minister also confirms line will be double tracked and electrified

Leven’s MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has welcomed today’s announcement that Leven Station and Cameron Bridge Station will be the new stations for the Leven-Thornton rail link.

The station names and locations were confirmed by Scottish Government Transport Minister, Graeme Dey, on a visit to the site that will become Leven Station. Mr Dey also confirmed that the line will be double tracked and electrified.

Fellow Levenmouth MSP, David Torrance, joined Miss Gilruth along with the Transport Minister for the visit to the new station site to discuss the progress made on the rail link.

Mr Dey explained that the options were confirmed following detailed development work as well as stakeholder consultation for the new rail link.

The Leven Station is to be located behind the Leisure Centre and Cameron Bridge Station will be to the east of the A915.

The decision to reopen Leven’s railway was made in August 2019 after the constituency MSP’s members’ debate in the Scottish Parliament in September 2017 led to the Scottish Government instructing Peter Brett Associates to take forward vital appraisal work of the line. Their appraisal concluded that these measures would enhance employment opportunities as well as access to education, health and leisure services.

Commenting after the site visit, Jenny Gilruth MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes said:

“I was delighted to welcome the Transport Minister to my constituency today to discuss the progress of the Leven-Thornton rail link project.

“Reopening the rail link will enhance the local economy and access to employment and education opportunities for my constituents, so it is important that the project remains on track for delivery by 2024.

“Confirmation of the new station names and locations is an important step forward and will add to the interest and excitement around the reopening of the line.

“Securing a commitment from the Scottish Government to re-establish Leven’s railway was perhaps the proudest moment of my first term as constituency MSP. Ensuring the railway is delivered in the context of the ongoing global pandemic and post-Brexit uncertainty is perhaps the biggest challenge in my second term.”

Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance said:

“We had a great visit this morning with Transport Minister, Graeme Dey MSP, to see the progress of the Levenmouth Rail Link project and to stand on the very site where one of the new modern and accessible stations will be located.

“I was delighted to see such enthusiasm from the Transport Minister for the delivery of this project in an area in much need of regeneration. It was also extremely encouraging to hear from Network Rail that despite the difficulties faced as a result of the pandemic, the project timeline remains on track.

“Linking East Fife with Edinburgh and Dundee, will bring employment and tourism opportunities to an area of high need. There can be no doubt that this project will change the future for so many living in the Levenmouth area and today marks another exciting milestone in that journey.”

Scottish Government Transport Minister, Graeme Dey said:

“I’m pleased to confirm that we plan to double track and electrify the Levenmouth rail link and also open two new stations. This will ensure local communities can benefit from improved connectivity and sustainable travel options.

“Our Programme for Government made a commitment to decarbonising Scotland’s Railway and growth in rail use is an essential part of decarbonising the total transport mix. Investment in sustainable transport must be front and centre when deciding on future priorities.

“This scheme will see the re-opening of the disused rail line between Thornton junction and Leven, providing new passenger rail services to connect the Levenmouth area to Fife, Edinburgh, and the wider rail network.

“I look forward to seeing this exciting project get underway in the coming months and would like to thank everyone involved in getting it to this stage.”

ENDS

Local Reporters