What our supporters say:

‘Proposals to reopen the disused line from Leuchars to St Andrews are common sense.’ - Rosemary Goring, The Herald (August 2019)

’New lines - such as those proposed to St Andrews and Leven - could entice thousands more to use trains.’ - Stefan Morkis, The Courier (August 2019)

[The University of St Andrews is] ‘Perched on the edge of the North Sea, miles from anywhere, without even a railway station …’ - Richard Adams, The Guardian (June 2019)

‘We are already a key player in the Tay Cities Deal bid, so by association and partnership we support the component parts of the bid, including the rail link feasibility study.’ - University of St Andrews (June 2017)

‘St Andrews is hugely important to the economy of Fife and Scotland and local people and visitors alike should have access to the best possible transport links available. The case for the reinstatement of the rail link to St Andrews is compelling and I welcome the news that it has been included in the Tay Cities’ Deal supported by the Scottish Government.’ - former MP Stephen Gethins (June 2017)

‘Greens have been calling for rail investment to be a top priority across the region. … We have also actively supported the re-opening of the Stirling to Dunfermline link and stations to Blackford and St. Andrews.’ - Scottish Green Party, Mid Scotland & Fife election leaflet (March 2016)

‘It’s daft that the jewel of St Andrews doesn’t have a train line which actually gets into the town precincts.’ - Alex Bell, The Courier (March 2016)

‘A railway link to St.Andrews would be a fantastic boost for the town.’ - Federation of Small Businesses, (February 2016)

‘If the [St Andrews] line were reinstated it could provide a valuable service to Edinburgh as well as local connections and make a great contribution to the town's success as a holiday resort.  It would be particularly valuable for bringing passengers to major events such as the Open golf championship, as well as the influx of students at the start and finish of each academic term.’ - Chris Austin OBE & Lord Faulkner of Worcester - Disconnected - Broken Links in Britain’s Rail Policy (November 2015)

‘I would be very happy to endorse the STARLINK campaign in what ever way I can and would wish you well,’ - Andrew Hajducki, author of The St Andrews Railway (November 2015)

‘It would be so pleasant to return again to the old grey town [St Andrews] by train, as I did countless times when I was an undergraduate at the University there,’ - Rt. Hon. Sir George Reid, former MP, MSP & Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament (September 2015)

‘Following the success of the revived Borders Railway, I send renewed greetings to the campaign to re-open the line to St Andrews.’ - Lord Steel of Aikwood, former MP, MSP & Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament (September 2015)

‘How valuable the link to St Andrews would have been today ... given the growth in demand which has led to the need to spend billions on Scotland’s roads.’ - Lord Faulkner of Worcester (November 2014)

‘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.’ - David Henshaw, The Great Railway Conspiracy (3rd ed.) (March 2013)

‘Reinstating the railway to St Andrews would be only commonsense. Trains would be most convenient for our visitors, not to mention the staff. You simply cannot get four golf-bags and their owners into one car.’ - Kevin Keenan, General Manager, Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews (January 2010)

‘A railway would be a great benefit to St Andrews.’ - Stephen Owen, General Manager, Rufflets Country House Hotel (December 2009)

'Why is it that such a huge tourist resort and centre of learning [St Andrews] has only a bus service through to Leuchars junction?' - Professor Christopher Harvie, former MSP (October 2009)
‘I would love to see a train service to St Andrews.’ - Professor Louise Richardson, former Principal, University of St Andrews (August 2009)

‘A light railway would help to connect Leuchars and St Andrews in a way which would benefit both.’ - David Middleton, Planning Convener, St Andrews Preservation Trust (February 2009)

‘There are a number of ‘missing links’ in the public transport system – notably the lack of a direct rail link into St Andrews ... the lack of a main rail link may encourage higher use of private transport means.’ - St Andrews & East Fife Local Plan Environmental Statement, Fife Council (2009)

‘In 1972-3 my family lived in St Andrews and as a teenager I was saddened to see the remains of the old station demolished that year. The sense of outrage at the recent loss of such an attractive means of transport galvanized a personal and professional interest in public transportation - especially railway - which has stayed with me to this day … I heartily support your campaign and wish you every success.’ - Marcus Garnet, LPP, Vice-President, Transport 2000 Atlantic, Nova Scotia, Canada (June 2008)

‘As a recognised tourist attraction the town deserves the best possible transport links, On environmental grounds greater emphasis should be placed on rail travel. A rail ticket marked London to St Andrews would surely tempt many foreign travellers.’ – Chancellor Rt. Hon. Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, University of St Andrews, former MP (November 2004)

‘I have long supported the idea of restoring a rail link to St Andrews. The Open was a good illustration of the necessity for such a link. It would constitute a considerable improvement on the rail/bus interchange and the clogged roads that golf fans, tourists and local residents have to put up with at the moment.’ – Iain Smith, former MSP (November 2004)

‘St Andrews is not the easiest place to get into, with no main motorway nor rail links coming directly into town. Stuck out at the eastern edge of the Kingdom of Fife it is at the back-of-beyond in global communications terms.’ – article in Scotrail's Outlook magazine (June 2000)

‘St Andrews is getting overwhelmed by the cars of visitors, students and locals. A railway line would improve the situation and allow passengers to bypass the traffic jams that happen at big events.’ – Railfuture Scotland

‘I support calls for a feasibility study into restoring the St Andrews railway.’ - Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond, former MP and First Minister (November 1992)

‘Our most historic centre, with a university, golf course and visitors from all parts of the globe. What must people from abroad think when told that celebrated burgh is cut off from rail communication?’ – David Roche, former Chair of North East Fife SNP (September 1989)

‘[Closing] the line from Leuchars to St Andrews [was] a monstrous abolition.’ - the late Professor David Daiches

‘St Andrews suffers from bad transport links ... it has never been the same since the railway went.’ – John Purvis, former MEP and campaign patron

‘It would be tremendous if by the time the Open Championship next returns to St Andrews, we were able to announce the confirmation that "The Home of Golf" will once again have a direct rail link.’ – Patrick Laughlin, former chief executive Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board and former manager, St Andrews Partnership