The first part of the work to reinstate the railway, and passenger services to Levenmouth will begin soon.

Network Rail has announced that work to clear vegetation, carry out site surveys and geological investigations will be carried out. Once completed, the project design can be completed, which will then see two new accessible stations and 19km of track reinstated.

The line will also be prepared for electrification in the future as part of the Scottish Government’s rail decarbonisation plans.

Chainsaws, chipping machines and other plant and machinery will be used to clear the vegetation. The necessary environmental and ecological surveys have been completed, with appropriate methods of work in place to safeguard species and habitats.

The survey work will include sampling ballast and drilling boreholes to check the condition of the ground under the railway.

The new stations will be built at Cameron Bridge and Leven. The project will also look at the potential for freight traffic in the area.

Graeme Stewart of Network Rail’s Levenmouth project team said: “Although still at a very early stage, it is fantastic to see work happening literally preparing the ground and to inform the design of the line.

“We have been working on developing a range of options which will define what the project looks like and how it is delivered and, as part of this, we have been meeting with and listening to local groups and organisations in the area.

“The development and delivery of the project will be in discreet phases with the first visible work; removal of vegetation to enable site and geological investigation SI/GI the start of a process which will culminate on the community once again having access to the mainline rail network.

“As well as the promise of better connectivity this scale of investment to improve our transport infrastructure will help to deliver benefits to the economy. It will act as an enabler for growth, provide better access to employment and education opportunities and expanded social and leisure options for people all across the area.”

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