LEVEN RAIL LINK RAISED IN PARLIAMENT
Published date : 14 Mar 2019
Leven MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has secured an update from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Michael Matheson MSP, on the Levenmouth sustainable transport study in the Scottish Parliament. The study was commissioned by the Scottish Government, following Jenny Gilruth MSP’s members’ debate in the Scottish Parliament in 2017.
Responding to the Leven MSP, Michael Matheson said –
‘Since I last spoke about the study in Parliament, the preliminary options appraisal has been completed and the six options emerging from that stage have been published. Transport Scotland and Fife Council have nearly completed the technical review of the preliminary options appraisal report, and the work on the final detailed options appraisal is under way.
I reassure the member and her constituents that I am committed to completing the Levenmouth sustainable transport study. Although I understand the frustration around the time that it has taken, it is important that the study is carried out robustly and in line with the Scottish transport appraisal guidance, as any transport investment decision has to be based on robust evidence.’
Following the Cabinet Secretary’s response in the chamber, Jenny Gilruth commented –
‘I am glad to hear the Cabinet Secretary commit to completing the sustainable transport study. Re-opening the Levenmouth Rail Link is of vital importance to my constituents. I would urge Transport Scotland and Fife Council to expediate their work on the technical review, to allow the Government to publish the final study as soon as possible.
Re-establishing Leven’s Railway would be a game-changer for Levenmouth; I am pleased the Cabinet Secretary remains focused on this issue and I look forward to welcoming him to my constituency in the near future’.
Last year Jenny Gilruth MSP secured a commitment from the Cabinet Secretary to visit Leven, to see for himself the benefits that reinstating the Rail Link would bring to the local community. The local MSP has been a vocal supporter of Leven’s rail link since her election in 2016 – securing a members’ debate and a parliamentary reception with campaigners and former Transport Secretary, Humza Yousaf MSP.
More information can be found about the study here: https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/strategy/levenmouth-sustainable-transport-study/
Local Reporters, East Fife Mail, Glenrothes Gazette, Courier (Fife), TRANSPORT
