CLACKS rail commuters are being reminded to have their view on the future of rail services in central Scotland.

The prospect of reopening the Alloa to Dunfermline rail link is just one proposal that has been advanced in a bid to improve connectivity across the country.

The closure of Longannet Power Station has opened the door to once again running passenger services between Clacks and Fife.

A feasibility study was commissioned by Fife Council earlier this year, with support for reopening the link given the backing from across the political divide.

Transport Scotland opened a public consultation in November last year and members of the public have until February 24 to respond.

The government's consultation paper read: "Since 2007, Scotland’s railways have thrived. There are now in excess of 2,300 trains operating each day, carrying more passengers than ever before.

"This success has been backed by record investment, with over £7 billion supporting new fleets of modern electric trains, new and improved services, the delivery of 76 kilometres of new railway and the opening of 13 new stations.

"In recent years, Network Rail and its partners have also successfully delivered the Airdrie to Bathgate link, significant improvements across the Paisley corridor, the Borders Railway, electrification of the Paisley Canal, Cumbernauld and Whifflet routes, and the transformation of Edinburgh Haymarket station.

"Our investment in the transport infrastructure, including new tracks, new stations and a transformative electrification programme, will help support the delivery of better quality rail services for passengers across the country.

"Capacity will increase to allow more services and longer trains, reliability levels will be improved and journey times on key services will be reduced.

"These outputs will be vital in supporting the substantial growth in passenger numbers in Scotland, with demand likely to exceed 100 million journeys within the next few years and the ScotRail Alliance targeting further growth."

Earlier this month, Douglas Chapman, MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, met transport minister Humza Yousaf at the Scottish Parliament last month to state his case for bringing back passenger trains.

He said: "We discussed the development of the existing coal train line that runs from Dunfermline to Longannet, through Clackmannanshire.

"The retention of this line is a key part of our transport infrastructure. It would also breathe new life into Kincardine and villages in Clackmannanshire, following the closure of Longannet."

Mark Ruskell, Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, also lent his support to the idea and said: "The re-opening of Alloa station nearly ten years ago has been a huge success, and we need to continue to build on this and open up new employment and investment opportunities between Clackmannanshire and West Fife."

To read the full consultation and to make a submission, visit consult.scotland.gov.uk/transport-scotland/rail-infrastructure-strategy-from-2019