THE case for the Alloa to Fife passenger railway line has been strengthened by a UK campaign group.

Members of the Campaign for Better Transport say local passengers would benefit from “improved access to Glasgow and Edinburgh” and that the move would “support tourism in the area”.

The document, titled The Case for Expanding the Rail Network, estimates it could cost between £126-£234million to repurpose the 14-mile freight line, which used to serve the now under-demolition Longannet Power Station.

It goes on to suggest that “there is also a longer term possibility of a rail link to the Rosyth dock area”, if the freight tracks are converted for passenger use.

New train stations could be established at Kincardine, Valleyfield and Cairneyhill.

The Scottish Greens have been campaigning to get the line reopened, and indeed to improve public transport generally with a view of nationalising the railway.

Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, said: “This is fantastic support from the Campaign for Better Transport, the report really recognises what a transformative effect new rail links can have on communities.

“For Alloa and Clackmannan, this could open up a whole new link to employment and study opportunities in Fife, as well as drawing in more visitors to the Wee County.”

Spanish train manufacturing company Talgo has also announced it intends to create a factory at the site of the former power plant, with hopes this will give the rail link project a boost.

Mr Ruskell added: “I’ve been working with the local campaign for the last two years, and the future of the Longannet site has been a constant frustration.

“However, the announcement last year that up to 1,000 jobs could be created at a train factory on the site the has been a game changer, and we now need to urgently progress a feasibility study to ensure people in Clackmannanshire can access these jobs via clean and affordable train travel.”

Analysis assessing the potential reopening was carried out in 2010, but was not progressed to the next stage that would have looked into the design and costings.

A bid by Go Forth Kincardine was since submitted to the Local Rail Development Fund to commission a new analysis, but it was deemed a duplicate of a 2017 pre-study and it was suggested Fife Council had a responsibility to take that forward.

It is understood that the local authority, along with Sestrans, are likely to submit a bid to the fund when it reopens for applications.

The MSP added: “There’s currently £1.3m unspent in the Local Rail Development Fund which is designed exactly for projects like this.

“I’ve written to the Transport Secretary and asked him to reopen this fund as soon as possible, so Fife Council and the local community can get on with the work needed to reopen this vital rail link.”

Clacks Greens are also running a survey to hear local views on the rails service, visit tinyurl.com/y9pcjq33 to take part.

The idea has been backed by other elected members in the Wee County.

The SNP's Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, said: “Following the success of the Stirling, Alloa Rail line, which I championed both as a local Councillor and as an MSP, it would be great to see proposals come forward from the local authorities involved to explore options to extend the line.

“Previous correspondence I have had with the Scottish Government on this issue have made it clear that proposals for new lines and stations will be considered where there is clear evidence of benefits, subject to affordability and a suitable business case being identified.”

Luke Graham, Conservative MP for Clacks, added: “I have been supportive of re-opening this line since my election. Getting passengers on this line would help improve Clackmannanshire’s regional connectivity, while complementing City Deal investment to help lead transformational change.”