If you live in a city, you probably take your trains, buses and trams for granted. You probably even complain about them on a regular basis, not realising how lucky you are to have access to public transport in any form. Many, in more rural areas, are not quite so lucky.
Residents of Leven and Cameron Bridge, small towns in the east of Scotland, have been set apart from the rest of us for upwards of five decades. Although they had railways once upon a time, they were disconnected from the main line more than 50 years ago, and so were stranded on the coast of Fife, which is a pretty barren place to be stuck.
But all of this has now changed. The Levenmouth Rail Link has finally opened after a £116 million renovation project was completed earlier this year, which saw 35km of new rail laid, two new stations and a bunch of boring, but crucial, infrastructure improvements.
Those poor souls in Leven and Cameron Bridge no longer need to stay in their villages forever (or buy a car); these upgrades mean that there are now hourly trains to Edinburgh from both stations via Kirkcaldy. People who live in Balcurvie, Buckhaven, Kennoway, Methil, Muiredge, and Windygates will also benefit from this service.
One project manager for the new link described it as ‘momentous and life-changing’ for locals. First Minister John Swinney also expressed excitement about the project, which was funded by the Scottish Government and carried out by Scotrail and Network Rail. Swinney said: ‘This rail link exemplifies the Scottish Government's commitment to investing in our public services, growing our economy, taking climate action, and investing in key areas that will help eradicate child poverty.
‘It will help transform the lives of families and young people in the area.’
Enjoy your shiny new trains, Fifers. You’ve earned them.
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