Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has officially inaugurated the reinstated Levenmouth rail link on May 29 ahead of the launch of passenger services on June 2. The new line allows passengers to travel 64-75 minutes to Edinburgh.
“Many people have long waited for the return of rail service to Levenmouth and I am delighted to be part of the open celebrations. By improving access to leisure, economic, employment and educational opportunities, alongside improving the connectivity to and from the area for residents, visitors and businesses, this rail link will help transform the lives of families and young people in the area,” John Swinney said.
The First Minister, together with over 300 guests from the local community and those involved in the project took a specially wrapped train to travel from Waverley to Leven for a plaque unveiling. Guests then travelled to Cameron Bridge for a welcome reception to mark the return of rail services for the first time in more than 50 years.
Levenmouth rail link project delivers a 19 km of new single-track line and two fully accessible stations at Cameron Bridge and in Leven. Over 1 km of active travel bridges and routes connecting communities to the new stations are also in delivery as part of this integrated programme of sustainable transport investment.
The Scottish Government announced in 2019 that the Levenmouth line would be reopened together with improved bus, walking and cycling links for the area.
Alongside the railway, work has also been undertaken to maximise the socio-economic benefits of the new rail link with Scottish Ministers committed to a fund of up to GBP 5 million (EUR 5.86 million). Fife Council offered to match fund this and lead on the delivery of the GBP 10 million (EUR 11.7 million) fund, via the Levenmouth Reconnected Programme.
The rail link represents the largest part of the wider sustainable transport programme and is an investment of over GBP 116 million (EUR 13.6 million) by the Scottish Government, alongside the investment in improved local bus services and active travel to link to key local services and the rail network.
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