Network Rail begins construction of east Scotland’s Levenmouth Rail Link

Network Rail has started construction of the Levenmouth Rail Link which will reinstate over five miles of double track railway allowing the reintroduction of passenger services withdrawn in 1969.

Following the green light from Transport Scotland, work on the £116.6m scheme includes the removal of the old track bed and other route preparation activities in advance of the re-instatement of a double track railway and passenger services to Leven.

The first services on the Edinburgh branch line will be diesel operated before conversion to electric at the earliest opportunity in line with the Scottish Government’s decarbonisation action plan.

Two new stations will be constructed at Leven and Cameron Bridge and opportunities for freight and tourist and charter train operations are also being considered.

Both stations will be fully accessible stations with active travel access infrastructure linking local communities and places.

Bill Reeve, Director of Rail at Transport Scotland said, “The Levenmouth Rail Link demonstrates our ambition not just for improving and investing in Scotland’s Railway, but also our commitment to communities as new rail links bring many additional benefits such as connectivity to the wider economic area to allow new journeys for work, education and leisure.

“Our experience from the highly successful Borders Railway project makes clear the maximum benefits of the railway investment are realised where they are delivered as a package of improved transport measures and underpinned with community initiatives and projects.

“That's exactly what we are doing at Levenmouth. It will give people the opportunity to travel to and from Levenmouth more sustainably and by including active travel links, we can encourage greener end-to-end journeys.”