CLACKMANNAN residents are calling for a train station to be built in the town, should plans to re-open the Alloa to Fife rail link be approved.

There has been a “ground swell of interest” in the idea, which could help bring added business and tourist opportunities to the town.

The closure of Longannet Power Station next month presents an opportunity to extend passenger services from Alloa through Kincardine and into Dunfermline, though current proposals do not include a new rail halt in Clackmannan.

However, the notion piqued the interest of many local residents and one community group is asking for support to take the idea forward later this month.

Monica Wilson, secretary of the Clackmannan Development Trust (CDT), said: “We floated the idea about a week ago and it received a really good reception on our Facebook.

“The infrastructure is already there and it would make such a huge difference to Clackmannan.

“At the minute, residents here have to factor in taxi fares when heading into Glasgow or even Stirling for a night out. But having the choice of getting a train back would save a lot money.

“Also, having a station might bring more people into Clackmannan as well.
“We just think it is a really great idea and, certainly, the CDT is very interested in it.”

A Facebook message posted on behalf of the trust said they had noted how popular the idea was and asked residents to pledge their support.

It added: “If we do take this forward it will be because that is what the community of Clackmannan and surrounding villages want.”

Members of the CDT will be attending a public meeting being held in Kincardine on Thursday this week, where members of the Longannet Task Force will take part in a question and answer session.

Opening the rail link between Alloa and Fife has already garnered a lot of interest, with a petition put forth to the Scottish government’s public petitions committee recently being deferred to the Task Force for consideration.

Clacks councillor Donald Balsillie, convener for enterprise and the environment, told the Advertiser last month that the council was “very supportive” of reopening the route to passengers.

However, there is still is no guarantee the project will be given the green light and Transport Scotland previously said the idea did not “feature in the current investment programme”.

Nevertheless, interested parties in both counties are hopeful and it is very likely that the matter will be discussed at the Longannet Task Force meeting, happening on Monday, February 29.

The public meeting, arranged by Fife Council, takes place on Thursday at 4pm in Kincardine Community Centre.