The
voices of potential passengers:
‘My pal is
currently stranded out in Leuchars, trying to get home to
Kirkcaldy. This happens regularly. The choice when stuck
there is either a £15 taxi back to St A and a hotel, or
freeze exposed in the wind until 1am or later. It is
ridiculous that there is no shelter. We need a St Andrews
link so badly. I hate getting the train because of that
leg. I often miss the bus home. If you were stranded in St
Andrews at least there may be pubs open to sit in to keep
warm etc. I completely dread train journeys from and to
Leuchars, almost every time something goes wrong.’ -
B.B., St Andrews (October 2018)
'As a supporter of
re-instating the railway line to St Andrews, I cannot
understand why this has not gone ahead.' -
Irene Gow
(September 2015)
'Have just spent an
interesting few days in St Andrews. It certainly seems
ludicrous that such a sizeable town, with its huge
dependence on students, golfers and tourists, should have
lost its rail connection. The bus interchange at Leuchars
is quite well organised, but still involves crossing a very
exposed footbridge. Some sort of direct rail service from
both Edinburgh and Dundee is certainly desirable.’ -
Alan
Findlay, Dores, Inverness (February 2013)
‘During our recent visit
to St Andrews from the States we were surprised by the
traffic and congestion in the area – it was up to the
American level. There were no rail options available to
us.’ - Dr Susan
Slater, Chicago, Illinois (December 2012)
‘Vital link for St Andrews
tourist industry … the train link would be more convenient
for many people who visit or work in St Andrews; [the
interchange at] Leuchars frankly just doesn’t work.’
- Moreen
Anderson, Melbourne (formerly St Andrews) (April 2011)
‘Good luck with your fight
for a rail line into St Andrews. It can’t come soon
enough.’ - A.L., Mid
Scotland & Fife (March 2011)
‘As far as I can see, it
wouldn’t be too difficult to re-open the line between
Leuchars and St Andrews … the actual layout of it, I would
think best suited to a branch in the Seggiehill area,
through the fields, across the main Dairsie-Guardbridge
road (using a bridge or tunnel), heading south east behind
the extremities of Guardbridge, then heading east up to St
Andrews. I think a halt where the rugby pitches are beside
the Old Course Hotel would keep everyone happy!’ -
Trackside
worker at Leuchars, Network Rail (November 2009)
‘In the mid-1980s it was
said that the case for re-opening St Andrews was stronger
than that for Bathgate.’ - former
B.R. employee, Dunfermline (November 2009)
‘Bring back the railway
line.’ - Judy
Gillespie, St Andrews (letter to the St
Andrews Citizen, January
2009)
‘As a former University of
St Andrews student I completely agree with the need for a
rail link.’ - David M.
Kinnen, Coventry (August 2008)
‘I commend you on all the
work and time you are spending on trying to bring a
rail-line back to St Andrews. How short-sighted were they
to discontinue it in the first place! I am looking to
retire to Scotland. I have been to St Andrews and would
like to retire there. However, without a rail-link, it is
not as advantageous for an older citizen to travel,
especially to Edinburgh. I do not relish sitting at the bus
station in Leuchars when the East wind blows off the North
Sea in winter!’ - Kurt
Rosenberg, Portland, Oregon (August 2008)
‘I agree that this rail
link should be re-instated; as a visitor to the town for
many years, it would be easier to transfer luggage from one
train to another instead of having to haul it over the
bridge to the taxi or bus ranks … visitors (tourists) are
the ones who bring the wealth into the area, therefore a
direct link to the town would be beneficial to everybody
plus making it easier to access the town.’ -
I.C.
(July 2008)
‘I have never understood
why St Andrews let its railway go so easily.’ -
former
B.R. employee, Helensburgh (July 2008)
‘I’m an Edinburgh resident
and I was shocked to find there is no train station in St
Andrews. I wish your campaign every success.’ -
Kirsten
Hey, Edinburgh (June 2008)