Jenny Gilruth and David Torrance, members of the Scottish Parliament, visited the site of the Levenmouth Rail Link to see how the work is developing.
The project will see a double tracked railway installed and electrified from Thornton junction to Leven on the Fife coast, along with the building of two stations.
Preparation work has started on the line; so far they have cleared the five-mile section of vegetation and railway equipment from the old line, which is no longer needed.
At the moment, investigation work is taking place to inspect structures, along with drilling trial holes, to check for contamination and the condition of the ground. The next step is to install the fencing on the line before construction work can start in early 2022.
Once the line is up and running, it will be the first time in over 50 years that people will see trains providing a service once again.
MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Jenny Gilruth said: “It was great to have the chance to visit on-site at Leven, to meet the team and to hear more details first hand about the work that has been happening. I'm really grateful to Network Rail staff for facilitating this visit and for the time they spent with elected members answering questions.”
“In exactly two years-time we will have trains running into Leven for the first time in over 50 years. That's going to bring employment and leisure opportunities for local people as well as deliver significant benefits to our communities and the local economy.”
“It was a fantastic opportunity to see some of the progress up close with the Network Rail team and to learn a little more about some of the environmental challenges the team have faced, particularly given the industrial past of Levenmouth. I know work on the first mile of track is due to start in January and I can't wait to see it taking shape.”
Joe Mulvenna, Network Rail project manager for the Levenmouth Rail link project said: “Preparation for the start of work on the line is stepping up and while we still have some planning and development work to complete, the start of work proper to deliver the project is not far away.”
“The rail link will improve social and economic opportunities for people in Cameron Bridge and Leven, and the surrounding communities, and we will work hard to deliver the new line for the area as quickly as possible.”
“The scale of the work that will be involved in the project means that in the short-term there will be some disruption for the area, but It is an exciting development that has the potential to transform life for local people and the communities it will serve.”.
Brilliant news. Keep up the good work to reopen the line.