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The Levenmouth rail link[1] (also called the Leven rail link[2]) is a proposal to re-open 5 miles (8 km) of railway line in Fife, Scotland. The link would connect the town of Leven and other settlements in the Levenmouth conurbation with Thornton, and would join the Fife Circle Line at Thornton North Junction. The line is being promoted by Fife Council and the South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SESTRAN).[3][2]
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The line first opened as the Leven Railway in 1854. In 1861 the company merged with the East of Fife Railway to form the Leven & East of Fife Railway. Stations were previously open at Cameron Bridge and Leven. The line was doubled in 1909. Freight east of Leven ceased in 1966, bringing a closure of the line up to St Andrews, and all passenger services ceased in 1969. In 1972, the remainder of the line to Kirkland was singled.[4]
Until 2001, the railway was partially used as a freight line.[3]
Fife Council has put forward £2 million to support the reopening, but the costs were initially estimated at £28 million.[3][5][2] This estimate was later increased to £45–55 million.[6][7]
SESTRAN conducted a feasibility study and Fife Council declared the project as a top-priority transport project.[3] Initial findings from the study found that there was strong support for the link as well as a strong general case for it. Other findings include that there was a possibility of extending Edinburgh-Kirkcaldy services to Leven to give an hourly service to Leven, or extending both these services and the Edinburgh-Cowdenbeath services, giving a half-hourly service.[6] It is also hoped that coal and whisky freight could be carried on the line, and that the developments will encourage regeneration of the area.[3] Another study is currently underway to look into the development, however it is likely that work cannot begin on the line until at least 2015.[6][1]
Stations are likely to be built at both Leven and Muiredge/Cameron Bridge. Rail freight facilities are also being considered in the Cameron Bridge area, where the Diageo distillery have a base, which was originally the Haig distillery; freight provision is also possible at Methil Docks. Cameron Bridge would serve as a park & ride station to surrounding areas.[1][8]
It was concluded initially that the best option would be to reopen the existing line. As work cannot begin until 2015, bus based options are also being considered in the short-term.[1]