Courier reports the resumption of the STAG
13, 10 23 12:45
The third and final part of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) evaluation is underway, thanks to Transport Scotland and the regional transport authority SEStran confirming the finance and providing expertise.
The Detailed Options Appraisal will score the following possible solutions to the St Andrews traffic problem: heavy rail services to Edinburgh and Dundee, a new light rapid transit service to Leuchars railway station, and, for the first time since closure in 1969, a dedicated bus service between the station and St Andrews, timed to meet the trains.
The work will be completed by the end of March 2024.
Here is the full text of Claire Warrender's article in The Courier:
'The St Andrews rail campaign is back on track following a year-long funding delay.
Transport Scotland has confirmed £106,000 is now in place to complete a detailed options appraisal.
And the results should be on the table by the end of March.
Campaigners are delighted progress is finally being made on the long-running issue.
They have been calling for a railway line to St Andrews since the 1980s, saying the town is difficult to get to without a car.
However the bid came to a standstill last year when Transport Scotland withheld tens of thousands of pounds to pay a consultant.
STARLink convener Jane Ann Liston confirmed the issue is now resolved and it is full steam ahead.
She said: "Transport Scotland is now being much more positive about the proposals.
"Not only is traffic congestion in and around St Andrews the bane of residents' and visitors' experience but the high dependence on the A91 threatens the resilience of the town."
Ms Liston says the problem is exacerbated every time there are roadworks near Guardbridge.
The St Andrews Liberal Democrat councillor says an access bridge at Leuchars station does not meet today's standards.
"It's so difficult for passengers with mobility issues that ScotRail advises such passengers to use Cupar or Dundee stations instead," she said.
Among the options being taken forward for consideration are a St Andrews to Edinburgh train service.
The possibility of a St Andrews to Dundee shuttle is also being looked at.
And improved active travel provisions at any new stations are included.
This will offer the chance to make an entire journey without a car.
In addition a new fixed off-road travel option between St Andrews and Leuchars will be considered.
The light rapid transit connection would be timed to meet train arrivals.
The idea is to meet objectives set by Transport Scotland.
These include cutting the number of car trips by 10% without reducing visitor numbers.
They also hope more workers will be able to get into town within an hour without a car.
The third objective is to cut journey times for St Andrews residents travelling to the likes of Edinburgh, Dundee and Kirkcaldy without using a car.
Ms Liston said: "STARLink eagerly looks forward to the results of the study."
The Detailed Options Appraisal will score the following possible solutions to the St Andrews traffic problem: heavy rail services to Edinburgh and Dundee, a new light rapid transit service to Leuchars railway station, and, for the first time since closure in 1969, a dedicated bus service between the station and St Andrews, timed to meet the trains.
The work will be completed by the end of March 2024.
Here is the full text of Claire Warrender's article in The Courier:
'The St Andrews rail campaign is back on track following a year-long funding delay.
Transport Scotland has confirmed £106,000 is now in place to complete a detailed options appraisal.
And the results should be on the table by the end of March.
Campaigners are delighted progress is finally being made on the long-running issue.
They have been calling for a railway line to St Andrews since the 1980s, saying the town is difficult to get to without a car.
However the bid came to a standstill last year when Transport Scotland withheld tens of thousands of pounds to pay a consultant.
STARLink convener Jane Ann Liston confirmed the issue is now resolved and it is full steam ahead.
She said: "Transport Scotland is now being much more positive about the proposals.
"Not only is traffic congestion in and around St Andrews the bane of residents' and visitors' experience but the high dependence on the A91 threatens the resilience of the town."
Ms Liston says the problem is exacerbated every time there are roadworks near Guardbridge.
The St Andrews Liberal Democrat councillor says an access bridge at Leuchars station does not meet today's standards.
"It's so difficult for passengers with mobility issues that ScotRail advises such passengers to use Cupar or Dundee stations instead," she said.
Among the options being taken forward for consideration are a St Andrews to Edinburgh train service.
The possibility of a St Andrews to Dundee shuttle is also being looked at.
And improved active travel provisions at any new stations are included.
This will offer the chance to make an entire journey without a car.
In addition a new fixed off-road travel option between St Andrews and Leuchars will be considered.
The light rapid transit connection would be timed to meet train arrivals.
The idea is to meet objectives set by Transport Scotland.
These include cutting the number of car trips by 10% without reducing visitor numbers.
They also hope more workers will be able to get into town within an hour without a car.
The third objective is to cut journey times for St Andrews residents travelling to the likes of Edinburgh, Dundee and Kirkcaldy without using a car.
Ms Liston said: "STARLink eagerly looks forward to the results of the study."