NETWORK RAIL and the Scottish Government are being urged to open all of the West Fife rail line following the announcement of plans to electrify tracks between Longannet and Alloa.

The plans also include the building of stations at Clackmannan and Kincardine.

Network Rail is carrying out survey work along the line to determine what work is needed to make is safe for passenger services.

However, the MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, Douglas Chapman, is urging rail bosses to keep going and extend the project even further into Dunfermline in the future.

The existing line currently runs all the way into Dunfermline Town station, passing villages such as Culross, Cairneyhill and Crombie, but is only used for freight trains.

Extending the line even further will provide a direct connection between the town and the west of Fife.

Mr Chapman said: “I am delighted to see work beginning on extending rail services into Fife and introducing stations at Longannet, Clackmannan and Kincardine.

“I hope these projects go smoothly and we will soon see a direct link for people in the west of Scotland to access Fife directly and vice-versa.

“There is also the possibility of opening further stations along the lines to serve West Fife villages such as Culross, which would benefit hugely by giving tourists an easy access point to its history.

“We really need to see the line extended into Dunfermline to join up with the Fife Circle, which is also to be electrified according to the Scottish Government’s decarbonising plans.

“This will be the final piece in the puzzle of decarbonising transport to and from Fife as we can provide a fantastic network for domestic and international tourists to access the wonders of West Fife.

“It will also boost the economy of the town by giving people better transport options for work here and elsewhere.”

The MP added: “I was also encouraged to hear that ScotRail plans to run its fully electric stock into Alloa; I cannot wait to see these pulling into stations in West Fife too.

“I look forward to following the developments of the current West Fife project and hope it is just the first step in improving rail services in the area.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) is currently under way to identify the strategic transport interventions required to provide Scotland with a network fit for the 21st century and which will inform investment decisions for the next 20 years.

“The introduction of passenger services on the freight line east of Longannet to Dunfermline, and any potential additional stations, will be considered within the review.”