10 December 2014
Member focus: LevenMouth Rail Campaign
The LevenMouth Rail Campaign (LMRC) was set up in March 2014 to lobby for the reinstatement of rail services between Leven and the main east coast network at Thornton. This 6-mile stretch of line closed to passenger traffic 45 years ago but continued to run coal to Methil Power Station until 2001, and a 1-mile stretch reopened to connect Earlseat opencast coal mine in 2011.
The Levenmouth area has a population of over 37,000 in the contiguous towns of Leven, Methil, Buckhaven, Kennoway, Windygates and East Wemyss. Add another 10,000 in the southern East Neuk and this is far and away the largest concentration of people unserved by rail in Scotland. Yet we're only an hour north of Edinburgh and major industrial installations with freight potential exist along the line at Diageo and the Fife Energy Park. Post-industrial Levenmouth is an area of high relative deprivation so improved rail and also road links are pressing to restore growth
If transport justice does not carry sufficient weight, there are no serious obstacles to reinstatement that exist in other 'new' rail projects. The line is fully intact, though overgrown, and remains within Network Rail ownership. The Fife Circle service has space in their timetables to extend services. A STAG study conducted in 2008 gave a very positive assessment and estimated 'only' £48 million investment would be required for full reinstatement. A refreshed STAG will be launched soon
As a group of committed local residents, LMRC is delighted to be joining Transform to stay abreast of and engage with sustainable transport issues and campaigns across Scotland. We have already benefitted from their expertise, experience and connections. We are determined to overcome this area's artificial isolation in every sense and this is one vital step along this path.
Allen Armstrong,
Secretary,
LMRC - LevenMouth Rail Campaign
Tel: 01592-713078
Email: LMRC@mail.com
Web: www.LMRC-action.org.uk