Rail campaign steams on

ST ANDREWS’ economy would be boosted by the return of trains to the town, according to a campaign group for better rail services in Scotland and a charity which aims to improve the town.

Railfuture Scotland said other communities with new rail links had benefited significantly and St Andrews Partnership claimed extending the rail network would overcome a barrier for many potential visitors.

A new feasibility report published earlier this month suggested a direct rail link to St Andrews could be reinstated for £76m.

The document by Tata Steel UK Rail Consultancy Ltd was commissioned by local group Starlink, which has been lobbying for many years for the east coast main line to be brought through the university town.

Ken Sutherland, research officer of Railfuture Scotland, which helped fund the report, said: “There have been studies showing that communities which have a rail link have a whole number of beneficial consequences in terms of socioeconomic and employment opportunities.

“St Andrews would become a more accessible place.

“A rail link enhances the portfolio of what a place has to offer.”

Even before the Maryhill line in Glasgow was extended to Kelvindale, Mr Sutherland said house prices in the suburb rose as estate agents marketed properties’ proximity to the station.

A St Andrews rail link would have a “multifaceted” user group, he said, including tourists, golfers and people travelling to the university not only to work or study but also for conferences and business seminars.

The train would bring visitors the town would not otherwise have had, he said.

“Many people who come to Scotland from Europe and North America tend to buy rail rover tickets and if a place is on the network they go there.

“Capital funding is still a major issue but there are ways and means of exploring funding from sources other than the Scottish Government.”

Standrews Partnership manager Patrick Laughlin said businesses would “love” to see the return of a train service, and the boost to St Andrews’ economy would have a knock-on effect for the rest of Fife.

He said: “There’s no doubt there is genuine public and business interest in having a train service.”

The two main user groups, he said, would be students coming from all over the globe and tourists.

“There is a disincentive to people thinking of coming to St Andrews. It’s not easily reached.

“We all know the bus link from Leuchars is good for what it is but it involves a modal shift between different forms of transport.

“Having a simplified link, especially if it came from Edinburgh Airport, would be of invaluable benefit.

“It would help the whole regional economy of Fife.”

St Andrews Merchants Association intends to issue a statement shortly on the report and chairwoman Lindsey Adam declined to comment until that had been agreed by members.

St Andrews Community Council has supported Starlink for over 20 years and chairman, Kyffin Roberts, welcomed the progress Tata Steel’s report made but pointed out difficulties would lie ahead in laying a new line.

He said: “Many people believe there are benefits to be had, in reducing gridlock in the town and the carbon footprint.

“We are moving forward, albeit very slowly.”

Following publication of the report two weeks ago Starlink predicted that an hourly service between St Andrews and Edinburgh would pay for itself and that a rail link would boost tourism and reduce traffic on the A91.

The Victorian line to St Andrews was closed in 1969.

A new alignment has been proposed, as reuse of the original route would disrupt the golf links and buildings.

Five miles of track would be needed, branching off near Seggie, going under the A91, crossing the Eden further south than the old line, running first south of the A91 then under it again, and north of the A91.

At the Old Guardbridge Road, the line would go on to a viaduct before meeting the old alignment and cross a new Petheram Bridge into the old station site beside the bus station.

Transport Scotland said further studies would be necessary before the project could progress.