Herald - Tram-train suggested for Leuchars-St Andrews

An article on trams in The Herald, while mainly concentrating on Edinburgh, includes a shuttle service between Leuchars and St Andrews in a list of suggested suitable routes. Read More...

'Momentous year' - Citizen

This week's St Andrews Citizen's lead letter was from StARLink convenor Jane Ann Liston listing the campaign's achievements over the past year and thanking our all supporters. Read More...

Meeting with Transport Scotland

The Courier carries a report of the recent meeting between StARLink campaigners and Transport Scotland in St Andrews. Read More...

'Private tram' says Lochee man

The latest letter in the Courier is from Kenneth Brannan of Lochee. He proposes a privately-funded tram between Leuchars and St Andrews rather than a proper railway, believing that there are enough wealthy people (Messrs Trump and Branston are mentioned) to pay for the project and take all the risks. Read More...

Courier - 'Would never be viable' - really?

A letter from Geoff Bray of Letham, Angus, in today's Courier discusses the 'reinstatement of the rail line from Leuchars Junction to St Andrews', claims 'one would still require to change at Leuchars' and ends 'I cannot see how a line to St Andrews can ever be a viable proposition.' Not surprising, perhaps, because the two assumptions are incorrect. Read More...

Coverage in 'The Saint'

This week's copy of The Saint, the University of St Andrews student paper, covers the case for the railway and the StARLink campaign. Read More...

Another naysayer in the 'Courier'

Again in the Courier letters column, a Glaswegian has complained of no verifiable facts and figures being provided by StARLink, but then claims, without providing any figures of his own, that 'demand would not justify a train service between Edinburgh and St Andrews.' Read More...

'Blinkered' says Glenrothes dissenter

In the Courier letters column a Glenrothes man has accused the StARLink campaign of repeating 'like a parrot ... blinkered arguments', insisting that everything is fine so no railway is required. Read More...

Courier - 'Rail link will ease pressure on St Andrews'

A letter in today's Courier from a St Andrean takes issue with the opinions of Mr Black (17th November) and suggests that a railway could reduce incoming traffic to St Andrews, frequent occurrences of gridlock and dependence upon the internal combustion engine. Read More...

One for, one against

The Courier's letter page again featured the StARLink campaign. John Munro from Glasgow, a frequent newspaper correspondent who appears to be against any money being spent on rail enhancements, makes the amazing claim that the line is simply 'not needed' while StARLink convenor Jane Ann Liston reiterates the reasons why it is. Read More...

'Flawed claims' and 'no need' - 'Courier' letters

A letter from Colin Topping of Glenrothes, describing the claims of the StARLink campaign as 'flawed' and another missive from Ken Reid of St Andrews, complaining of 'inaccuracies, omissions, assumptions and red herrings' head the correspondence page of today's Courier. A third letter, from Charles Wilson of Rosyth, at least begins 'I do not grudge St Andrews a railway station' (thank you, Mr Wilson), though he claims that Leuchars is 'almost within walking distance' (what, at nearly 6 miles?) and then goes on to complain about the town's litter bins. Read More...

'Pointless' says Dundonian

In the Courier letters column, Anthony Black from Dundee, has branded a St Andrews railway 'pointless' and demanded 'What is the 'stature' of St Andrews that it deserves such a link more than hundreds of towns of similar size?' Read More...

Courier - 'St Andrews rail link would benefit Scotland

The leading letter in today's Courier, from StARLink convenor Jane Ann Liston and headed 'St Andrews rail link would benefit Scotland', should drive home the message that St Andrews is not just any old town but a destination of vital importance and as such deserving much better public transport links than it currently 'enjoys'. Read More...

Another lone dissenter

In today's Courier a St Andrews resident claims a railway to St Andrews is not needed because of the 'excellent' bus and taxi service and dismisses the campaign as a 'one-person fight'. Read More...

St Andrews Citizen & Fife Herald back campaign

This week's St Andrews Citizen and Fife Herald featured the forthcoming meeting with Transport Scotland. In addition the editorial in both papers backed the campaign for a new railway to St Andrews. Read More...

'Rail hopes for St Andrews' - Courier

Today's Courier carried a very positive piece centred on the forthcoming meeting between StARLink activists and Transport Scotland, at the behest of the First Minister, who indicated the Scottish Government's 'willingness to consider proposals for new services where there is 'clear evidence' of benefits.' Read More...

'Girl on the Train' for St Andrews

A letter in today's Courier pointed out the irony of the fact that the author of The Girl on the Train is going to address an audience at St Andrews, which has no railway station. Read More...

LGIU article 'Scotland's railways - more than A to B'

An article in the latest Local Government Information Unit by James Ledgerwood, an economist now working for Abellio Scotrail emphasises the importance of railways for small towns rather than just cities. Notable quotes are:

'A safe, punctual and sustainable rail network is vital to the success of Scotland’s economy, from our rural towns to our major cities.'

'Across Scotland the increasing pressures on our town’s roads and carparks suggests our railway stations can be effective catalysts for future economic growth and investment.'
Read More...

Conferences, consultants and the First Minister

Transport experts give advice and the First Minister responds to a letter. Read More...

Lone voice in Citizen

As expected, the usual sceptic also had a letter in this week’s St Andrews Citizen. Read More...

The sceptic strikes back, but 'Scottish Field' says 'Yes'

In another letter to the Courier, the resident St Andrews sceptic insists that there are more than just a few lone voices objecting to the railway, citing a Tayplan report which appeared before the Tata study was even published, and an objection from a member of the Links Trust, both from 2012, and goes on to say that ‘there must be many more feasible alternatives to this impractical proposal by StARLink.’

However, November’s issue of
Scottish Field boldly states on its cover ’Why St Andrews needs the railway’, and inside describes the ‘compelling argument’ for restoring the railway. Read More...

Letter in Citizen

A letter from StARLink’s convenor was published in today’s St Andrews Citizen, rebutting the claims made in the letter from a sceptical St Andrews resident last week. Read More...

'Reopening St Andrews rail link is vital' - Courier

StARLink’s response to Mr Chalmers’ scepticism is the lead letter in today’s Courier. Read More...

A sceptic's view

A St Andrews resident has written to both the Courier and St Andrews Citizen stating that a railway to St Andrews is ‘totally unnecessary’, ‘outrageously costly and impracticable’ and finishes ‘It ain’t broke, so don’t fix it!’ Read More...

'Support for Starlink campaign' - Citizen

Today’s St Andrews Citizen carries the story about the backing from two former Holyrood presiding officers, Lord Steel of Aikwood and Sir George Reid. Read More...

'Back both Fife rail proposals' - Letter in Courier

A letter from StARLink in today’s Courier replies to Mr Stewart’s from 11th September. The letter reminds readers that the Tata report identified a new alignment and found that the rail service was not only feasible but would most likely be profitable. The point is also made that Levenmouth and St Andrews are not mutually exclusive, with the first being related to micro-economic regeneration and the second being based on ‘macro-economic generation, nationwide decarbonisation and logistical infrastructural improvement to a globally renowned touristic, academic and sporting destination.’ Read More...

Support from former presiding officers - Courier

The Courier reported that two former presiding officers of the Scottish Parliament, Lord Steel of Aikwood and Sir George Reid, have backed the StARLink campaign. Read More...

Letter in Courier - 'Leven & St Andrews'

A letter in The Courier supports the reinstatement of rail connections to both St Andrews and Leven claims that the latter is ‘much likelier to get the go-ahead.’ Read More...

Letter of support in 'The Herald'

A letter in today’s Herald urges the promotion of the new Edinburgh-Galashiels-Tweedbank railway rather than dwelling on where it doesn’t go.

William Laird of Glasgow, while agreeing that the line should at least be extended to Hawick, argues that the current priority is to concentrate on what is there, as it may take some time for people to get used to it. He ends with the hope that he ‘might yet get to St Andrews, Leven and Buchan by rail.’

Thank you, Mr Laird.
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'Full steam ahead?' asks Courier

In today’s Courier, an article on possible re-established rail services in Fife and Tayside devotes much of its column space to the St Andrews campaign, with Levenmouth, Newburgh and Wormit also featuring. Read More...

The changing face of St Andrews railway station

In view of the setting of the BBC interview, I thought that providing a ‘then and now’ photos might be of interest. Note, however, that the Tata Steel recommendation was for a new station to be a few yards further north, though still right beside the bus station, to enable it to be on a straight piece of track, as it is no longer considered a sensible idea to have a station on a curve, as was the old station. Read More...

'Battling against Beeching' (sic) on BBC website

Possible new railways, including St Andrews, are further examined in a piece on the BBC website though of course St Andrews was not a Beeching cut. Read More...

'Guardian' article on possible re-openings, including St Andrews

The campaign to re-open St Andrews is mentioned in today’s Guardian newspaper. It notes that St Andrews has the distinction of being Scotland’s only university town without a railway line, despite being the home of golf, a growing student population and famous beaches, attracting many tourists.’ Read More...

'Call to re-open St Andrews railway' - BBC TV

The Starlink campaign was featured on tonight’s Reporting Scotland. Convenor Jane Ann Liston was interviewed at the site of the old station, and said that the Borders re-opening showed that St Andrews was possible. Read More...

'It can be done' - Starlink featured on BBC Radio Scotland

The encouragement taken by Starlink campaigners by the imminent Borders re-opening was featured on this morning’s Good Morning, Scotland programme on BBC Radio Scotland this morning. Read More...

On the BBC tomorrow - watch this space

The Starlink campaign will feature on the BBC tomorrow, on radio, TV and online. Read More...

Letter of support in Courier

A letter in today’s Courier expresses the hope that, having travelled on the last train to St Andrews, the writer might be on the next one. Read More...

'Borders provides hope for rail link' - Citizen

This week's St Andrews Citizen also features the Starlink campaign and the inspiration it has drawn from the forthcoming opening of the Borders line to Galashiels and Tweedbank. Read More...

'Renewed hope' says Courier

‘The bid to reconnect St Andrews to the rail network is drawing inspiration from the success of another campaign,’ referring to the Borders, begins a piece in today’s Courier entitled ‘Rail link campaigners get renewed hope from Borders success.’ Read More...

In the 'Daily Mail'

Today’s Scottish edition of the Daily Mail included an essay by John MacLeod, on how the St Andrews case in particular will be strengthened by the opening of the Borders line next month. Read More...

Interesting 'Rail' magazine comment

In this fortnight’s (5th-18th August) edition of Rail, there is a reference to the ‘proposed new Dundee-St Andrews link’. Read More...

Comment in Herald

A letter in today’s Herald begins ‘The hope that the Borders line re-opening will give impetus to those who are campaigning for others, particularly between Leven and Thornton and St Andrews to Leuchars is welcome.’ Thank you, John Macnab of Falkirk. Read More...

Starlink campaign on BBC Radio Scotland

The Starlink campaign featured on BBC Radio Scotland’s flagship programme Good Morning Scotland today, when convenor Jane Ann Liston was interviewed about how the movement to reconnect St Andrews had been inspired by the successful Campaign for the Borders Railway. Read More...

Also on BBC website

The Starlink campaign is also quoted in an article on the BBC website. Read More...

'Rail lobbyists in new push' - The Herald

An article in today’s Herald marking the imminent re-opening of the Borders line cites Levenmouth and St Andrews as further candidates for re-opening. Read More...

Starlink at Model Rail exhibition

The Starlink campaign, under the auspices of Railfuture Scotland, will be in attendance at the East Neuk Model Railway Club Exhibition in St Andrews this weekend. Read More...

'Huge demand for re-opening' - Sunday Post

There is a ‘huge demand’ for re-opening railway stations such as St Andrews, in today’s ‘Sunday Post’, the most widely-read Scottish Sunday newspaper. Read More...

Starlink newsletter published

A newsletter has been issued to members and supporters, updating them with the campaign’s progress and latest developments and inviting them to subscribe. Read More...

Further Kingdom FM coverage

The Facebook launch was covered by Kingdom Fm radio. Read More...

Courier coverage of Facebook

Our Facebook page received further coverage in the Courier, with a far-reaching vision of how a line to St Andrews would complete a strategic Scottish rail network. Read More...

We're on Facebook

The Starlink campaign is now on Facebook. Read More...

St Andrews Citizen article

The St Andrews Citizen carried the story about the TayPlan submission, including the possible effect of Cupar Relief Road, how a St Andrews line would make a new Wormit station more likely and the comparison with Alloa. Read More...

Kingdom FM Coverage

The Starlink campaign featured on Fife radio station Kingdom FM’s local news today. Read More...

Courier Coverage and Alloa Advice

The Starlink submission to Tayplan was covered in the Courier today, and a useful meeting was held between Starlink supporters and a representative of the successful Alloa campaign. Read More...

TayPlan consultation

The Starlink campaign has expressed its disappointment that there is still no mention of a restored rail connection to St Andrews in the latest version of TayPlan, although new stations at Newburgh and Wormit are supported, subject to STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance).

In its submission to the consultation just concluded, Starlink notes the likely increased traffic pressure on St Andrews should the Cupar Relief Road go ahead, and re-emphasise the economic justification for improving St Andrews transport links. It also notes that the
Tata recommendations could facilitate a Wormit station, as they actually open the door for a Dundee-Wormit-St Andrews service, and cites the example of Alloa as a town which demonstrates the effect of a restored rail connection. Read More...

Back a winner with Starlink

Tickets for 4 adults for Musselburgh Races in April have been generously donated to the Starlink campaign for the raffle at Saturday’s coffee-morning at St Andrews Town Hall at 10:00. Read More...

'Support for Leven and St Andrews'

Letter in Scotsman from Starlink convenor supporting reinstatement of Levenmouth railway but also making the case for St Andrews. Read More...

Students pour out of train at Leuchars

Leuchars Station 25th January 2015


A packed train from London disgorged dozens of students today at Leuchars Station, providing an example of the potential for a railway going all the way to St Andrews. Instead, at least 60 students hauled their large rucksacks and wheeled suitcases for the next semester off the 10:03 from London King’s Cross and swarmed across the footbridge. While there was a longer than normal queue for the buses, these were clearly inadequate, being the normal service buses catering mainly for commuters and shoppers, and therefore having no provision for the amount of luggage being carried by the students. The bus pulled away, packed to the gunwales with luggage in the aisle, and leaving many students behind waiting for the next one. Many didn’t even try to board the bus but straightaway opted for taxis.

Read More...

Starlink campaign gains online support

The St Andrews Citizen article on the online Fife Today site has so far attracted 62 Facebook ‘likes’ and has been retweeted 5 times. Thank you for the expressions of support so far, and it’s not too late for the rest of you to add your own comments, retweets or Facebook ‘likes’ at


http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/full-steam-ahead-for-rail-campaign-1-3663712

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Starlink to consult Alloa campaigners

As reported in the St Andrews Citizen the Starlink campaign is to hold discussions with the Alloa rail campaigners, who were successful in getting their branch line re-opened, with four times as many passengers as was predicted.

The article can be read at:


http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/full-steam-ahead-for-rail-campaign-1-3663712 Read More...

Forthcoming attraction - reserve the date

The annual Starlink coffee-morning will take place on Saturday 28th February in St Andrews Town Hall between 10:00-11:30. Read More...

Supporters rally to rail cause

Following yesterday’s article in the Courier, Starlink supporters have responded to the nay-sayers on the newspaper’s website, pointing out that the distance from St Andrews to Leuchars Station is 5.5 miles and claiming that, because of the golf, university, tourism and commuters, the line would be well-used, Read More...

'Grassroots support' for rail link

The Starlink campaign continues to garner support, both from the general public in St Andrews and from transport experts, including the author David Henshaw in the latest edition of The Great Railway Conspiracy, who included St Andrews as one of only 2 Scottish candidates, the other being the under-construction Borders line, for reconnecting among his top re-opening prospects. Mr Henshaw says, ‘There's a consensus that St Andrews should never have left the rail network in 1969. The permanent population is not large, at around 17000, but it's a university town on the outer edge of Edinburgh commuter territory, and home to major golf tournaments, factors that add considerably to the case for reinstatement.’

Well said, sir.
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