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<title>StARLink News</title><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/index.php</link><description>Campaign news</description><dc:language>en-gb</dc:language><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2008 JAL</dc:rights><dc:date>2013-05-10T10:15:26+01:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 10:23:27 +0100</lastBuildDate><item><title>&#x27;Ludicrous&#x27; not to keep St Andrews station</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-05-10T10:15:26+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cc754515909e8ff91d2c591d54f467f6-185.php#unique-entry-id-185</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cc754515909e8ff91d2c591d54f467f6-185.php#unique-entry-id-185</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The comment reads, &lsquo;I always thought it was ludicrous not to keep the railway station in St Andrews; pity they can&rsquo;t re-open it.&rsquo;


But, Dee, perhaps you are not aware of the work that is being done to achieve the re-opening, which the Tata study (accessible on this site) demonstrates is indeed possible.   We&rsquo;d love to hear directly from you.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Transport expert tells how to fund railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-04-19T17:41:42+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a29c054d53a500a93db87349def5719d-184.php#unique-entry-id-184</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a29c054d53a500a93db87349def5719d-184.php#unique-entry-id-184</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[According to Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston, Professor Hazel emphasised the importance of setting up the contributions early on in the process, to maximise the increase in value, adding that she hoped the authorities would note this and not &lsquo;miss the boat.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Unnecessary&#x2c; costly project&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-04-12T23:39:25+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/eee3a8c9b82d802486c5b3cb2f98b480-183.php#unique-entry-id-183</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/eee3a8c9b82d802486c5b3cb2f98b480-183.php#unique-entry-id-183</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In his letter to the St Andrews Citizen Mr Allan Chalmers, who has expressed similar views upon previous occasions, suggests as a &lsquo;cheaper and more practical&rsquo; solution the dualling of the main road between St Andrews and Guardbridge, or installing a dedicated bus lane, as well as improving, i.e. increasing, the car-park at Leuchars as well as the station access.   Mr Chalmers further goes on to suggest that to reduce the carbon footprint, which the aforesaid measures would be likely to increase, the Green Bus Fund could supply hybrid-electric buses.


...And of course the evidence from all over is that measures which provide more space for cars, such as dualling or increasing car-parking spaces, actually generates more car use, with the resulting increase in emissions and environmental damage. 

...Mr Chalmers&rsquo; parting shot, that a St Andrews railway &lsquo;could be another Edinburgh trams scenario&rsquo; does not really make sense either, as there is a world of difference between an urban setting where roads have to be dug up and nobody knows exactly what lies beneath, and 5 miles of mainly farmland, most of which does not have unknown utilities snaking beneath it.   Better to compare a new St Andrews line with the Airdrie-Bathgate railway, which involved laying 14 miles of track in an unbuilt area and did not encounter the problems which arose in Edinburgh.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Positive signals&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-04-05T20:05:30+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/eae799f1517503e67a7207c8c718f9ef-182.php#unique-entry-id-182</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/eae799f1517503e67a7207c8c718f9ef-182.php#unique-entry-id-182</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The text of the article can be found at:


http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/rail-link-campaigners-given-positive-signals-1-2877839


The responses mentioned were those from the University, local businesses, the Links Trust, community councils, CILT and First Scotrail.


As the Tata report makes clear, Cupar would benefit from a &lsquo;significantly enhanced rail service&rsquo; and that, far from preferring the bus to the train, even Dundee-bound passengers were likely to opt for the train, particularly those travelling to Aberdeen.


It was also confirmed that a review of TayPlan will commence later this month.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Leap forward for St Andrews rail link&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-04-04T18:42:47+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/89b8fc2c8883fd40f17f83f77273e838-181.php#unique-entry-id-181</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/89b8fc2c8883fd40f17f83f77273e838-181.php#unique-entry-id-181</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The article, similar to the one in the previous day&rsquo;s Courier, quotes Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston&rsquo;s welcome of the reaction to the presentation and the further report, and the request that Fife Council ask SESTRAN to carry out the appraisal (STAG) and also ensure the revised TayPlan can accommodate the railway.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Massive step forward&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-04-03T19:32:34+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/443096c844027ba949cb1525ea066e70-180.php#unique-entry-id-180</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/443096c844027ba949cb1525ea066e70-180.php#unique-entry-id-180</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Link to Courier article:


http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/st-andrews-rail-line-bid-picking-up-speed-1.81421]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fife Council hears case for St Andrews railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-03-27T17:20:01+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/866fd7930be2bf0c5fde1f8216a7e279-179.php#unique-entry-id-179</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/866fd7930be2bf0c5fde1f8216a7e279-179.php#unique-entry-id-179</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In the presentation, Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston outlined the scope and results from the consultation carried out in collaboration with the Community Council since May, giving the responses from the Community Council, University of St Andrews, Merchants Association, Stayinstandrews, the Links Trust, Old Course Hotel, Fife Council Transportation Service, Guardbridge and Strathkinness community councils, as well as the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Scotrail.   Ms Liston emphasised the importance of Fife Council requesting SESTRAN to carry out the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) on the proposal, and also to ensure that TayPlan was amended to include the railway.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Beeching did not close St Andrews&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-03-25T19:36:58+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cb8292c9b3cd101884f93294717d2caa-178.php#unique-entry-id-178</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cb8292c9b3cd101884f93294717d2caa-178.php#unique-entry-id-178</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Link to the Courier article:


http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/british-rail-not-dr-beeching-closed-st-andrews-branch-line-1.79294]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;What about St Andrews?&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-03-22T23:46:06+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f726e9ace7741e6df64706412641bd1a-177.php#unique-entry-id-177</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f726e9ace7741e6df64706412641bd1a-177.php#unique-entry-id-177</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[&lsquo;Alastair Dalton&rsquo;s rather revisionist account of Dr Beeching&rsquo;s cuts to Scotland&rsquo;s railways (&ldquo;450 miles of Scots railway &lsquo;dodged Beeching axe&rsquo;&rdquo;, 21 March) is ominously quiet about the prospect of restoring services to St Andrews, as outlines in his previous article (&ldquo;After 40 years, St Andrews is a step closer to rail travel&rdquo;, 12 May).


Are we to take it that the review carried out by Tata Steel Projects, making out the case for a rail service to St Andrews, has been quietly binned?


As has often been pointed out, not least by the tireless campaigning of the Starlink pressure group, it is quite ridiculous that, for more than 40 years, the home of golf and of one of Britain&rsquo;s major universities has been deprived of a train service.&rsquo;


...I hope that the previously-mentioned meeting of Fife Council&rsquo;s N.E. area committee on Wednesday will spur the relevant bodies into action.   It is high time the professionals took over the running.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Support from Scotrail</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-03-22T23:26:29+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/473fc1088230719f747f5c67b3a3c5e2-176.php#unique-entry-id-176</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/473fc1088230719f747f5c67b3a3c5e2-176.php#unique-entry-id-176</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Scotrail official said that they had held informal discussions with industry partners on the subject, but were unaware so far of any discussions involving the transport partnership SESTRAN and Transport Scotland.


It is hoped that Wednesday&rsquo;s presentation will provide the catalyst for such discussions to take place in the near future.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews case to be made at Fife Council</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-03-21T14:28:19+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/99adb4467ec944d91e35d4a3af0f8aeb-175.php#unique-entry-id-175</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/99adb4467ec944d91e35d4a3af0f8aeb-175.php#unique-entry-id-175</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It is anticipated that the councillors will be briefed on the Tata Steel report and the subsequent consultation exercise conducted in conjunction with the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council.   The elected members will be informed of the various views gathered since last May and will have an opportunity to question Jane Ann Liston, the Starlink convenor.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Successful fund-raising event</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-03-17T00:33:16+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ab60587d1f7c5d6f2b1198cb41850df4-174.php#unique-entry-id-174</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ab60587d1f7c5d6f2b1198cb41850df4-174.php#unique-entry-id-174</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As anticipated, great interest was shown in the 1:1250 drawings of Tata Steel&rsquo;s optimised route with people saying that seeing them made the whole concept more tangible.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews report featured in professional journal</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-02-08T22:43:12+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6b7632d4648c7866fb4e2a6e9ebd932f-173.php#unique-entry-id-173</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6b7632d4648c7866fb4e2a6e9ebd932f-173.php#unique-entry-id-173</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The article cites the GIS overlay and land mapping techniques used, which take account of geological features to indicate the suitability of the underlying rock, which gives an earthworks cost, including SSSI disturbance values, of &pound;70M with 30% risk for 7855 m of single-track line with passive provision for doubling and a second platform. ...  The former would run every hour via West Fife to ease line occupancy, stopping at Cupar, Dunfermline Town, Edinburgh Gateway and Haymarket, giving a total journey time of 1 hr 15 mins. 

...As this is a new line, an estimate of absolute, as opposed to existing, demand was required, so a trip rate model, using linear regression and including specific St Andrews data, was created. 

...St Andrews forecast - 385-508km journeys (less abstraction from Leuchars) with net annual revenue between &pound;0.653M and &pound;1.637M, with travel time reduction benefits between &pound;0.214M and &pound;0.269M and those pertaining to modal transfer between &pound;0.069M and &pound;0.166M.


The authors concluded that &lsquo;local issues should be seen in the context of St Andrews as a world class destination for golf and its university, whose improved connectivity can make a significant contribution to the Scottish economy.&rsquo; ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Enthusiasm in capital for St Andrews proposals</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-02-05T23:59:21+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/bf1ed7f484a3c28ba1b200ed28b5f6f8-172.php#unique-entry-id-172</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/bf1ed7f484a3c28ba1b200ed28b5f6f8-172.php#unique-entry-id-172</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston addressed an audience of around 30, some of whom had travelled from Fife for the occasion.   The drawings of the Tata alignment were eagerly pored over and the presentation was followed by a robust and comprehensive question and answer session.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews railway on Fife Council agenda - date for your diary</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-01-31T10:53:54+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d6ec4edc590a66490011d74bcc9af9a1-171.php#unique-entry-id-171</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d6ec4edc590a66490011d74bcc9af9a1-171.php#unique-entry-id-171</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The purpose of the presentation will be to ascertain the views of the councillors throughout North East Fife prior to requesting SESTRAN to undertake the STAG exercise.   It is likely that there will be some diversity of opinion and therefore a robust debate.


Further details will be posted once they become available.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Forthcoming events</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2013-01-22T11:57:38+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e834d6a05fd978f9b4c6c6252e9f6ee9-170.php#unique-entry-id-170</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e834d6a05fd978f9b4c6c6252e9f6ee9-170.php#unique-entry-id-170</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[CRAG meeting will take place at 19.30 in Friends Meeting House, Victoria Place, Edinburgh::


http://www.capitalrail.org.uk/


Coffee-morning will be held in the Supper Room of the Town Hall between 10.00-11.30.   Usual stalls including home-baking, books and bric-a-brac, also an opportunity to see the large-scale drawings of the Tata Steel indicative route.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;St Andrews Rail link of national significance&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-12-21T10:44:26+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ca2edaf289bdd3aefaa615565d7ca3f7-169.php#unique-entry-id-169</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ca2edaf289bdd3aefaa615565d7ca3f7-169.php#unique-entry-id-169</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The online version of the article can be found at:


http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/st-andrews-rail-link-of-national-significance-1-2701902]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Campaigning for a rail link to St Andrews&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-12-17T16:59:58+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/2a579efcb20eaf005daf77a4f2fdf888-168.php#unique-entry-id-168</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/2a579efcb20eaf005daf77a4f2fdf888-168.php#unique-entry-id-168</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The article begins, &lsquo;A request from the Scottish Government for projects to be included in its National Planning Framework has prompted St Andrews Community Council and Fife Council to propose the revival of a St Andrews rail link.&rsquo;   Strictly speaking, though, it is SESTRAN, albeit at the behest of Fife Council, who have suggested the project.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fife Council and St Andrews CC back railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-12-14T12:02:41+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d1708798fea2d13a75d7da70a6b1d75f-167.php#unique-entry-id-167</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d1708798fea2d13a75d7da70a6b1d75f-167.php#unique-entry-id-167</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Cllr Thomson has every right for raising his concerns, and one would hope the other representatives, not only of St Andrews but also of the other parts of Fife which stand to benefit from a new railway, will also make their views known.   However, his statement that &lsquo;major issues &hellip; should be addressed before the proposed project proceeds any further&rsquo;  but that he opposes the spending of &lsquo;any public money on further feasibility work&rsquo; is unrealistic and begs the question as to whence the resources to address these issues will come?   The campaign has gone beyond what amateurs can do so it is surely time for the professionals to do their job and investigate the proposals further.   As is clearly stated in the feasibility study, the design is only at the concept stage, and the place for resolving the concerns of Cllr Thomson and others is further on in the procedure.


Indeed it could be argued that the Starlink campaign has already taken the matter further than should reasonably be expected of a pressure group, by commissioning the feasibility study, which might more properly be considered the remit of the transport authorities. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Strathkinness CC discusses rail campaign</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-11-30T18:21:55+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6979db03a244259f290bce03b8a3ef5c-166.php#unique-entry-id-166</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6979db03a244259f290bce03b8a3ef5c-166.php#unique-entry-id-166</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The report says, &lsquo;Mr Younger reported that he had had an informative meeting with Ms Liston of Starlink, regarding the proposal to re-establish a rail link to St Andrews.   Much work remained to be done in respect of strategic planning and funding.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>World-wide coverage for Starlink campaign</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-11-29T16:54:14+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f013dd1dc3c4eee150fe3fa56610b72f-165.php#unique-entry-id-165</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f013dd1dc3c4eee150fe3fa56610b72f-165.php#unique-entry-id-165</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As the interview was conducted in May the article does not take account of the later revisions to the Tata route, and the main photograph is of a steam locomotive from the first half of the last century.   However there is a helpful reference to the St Andrews Partnership, saying that, &lsquo;the improved accessibility the railway would bring to the area would be invaluable for local businesses&rsquo;.   There is also an intriguing quote from the Links Trust&rsquo;s Chief Executive, viz, &lsquo;It is not for the Links Trust to comment on the concept of re-establishing a rail link to St Andrews and it is clear that should such an event come about there would be benefits. ...  This should be compared with the view expressed by the Director of Finance who said he could see &lsquo;no benefit whatsoever&rsquo; in a rail connection, though he later added &lsquo;in that particular route.&rsquo; 


As the Scots Magazine enjoys an international readership, this welcome coverage should bring the campaign to the attention of many more people, with the message that a railway &lsquo;would be the most environmentally-friendly way to ferry in and out the daily throngs of visitors, golfers, students and commuters.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews railway &#x27;like trip to Mars&#x27;&#x2c; says resident</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-11-23T20:59:07+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5cbdeda8b8ab283fce3c8c758ad566f7-164.php#unique-entry-id-164</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5cbdeda8b8ab283fce3c8c758ad566f7-164.php#unique-entry-id-164</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Mr Allan Chalmers takes comfort in the fact that a Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance exercise will have to examine all possible transport links between St Andrews and the main line.   However the Starlink campaign welcomes this and is confident that the rail proposal will prove superior to road alternatives.   Despite the welcome increase in the frequency of buses to Leuchars Station, there has so far been no sign of the already-overflowing car-park emptying.   And anyway, with St Andrews being a net importer of labour, as well as a renowned tourist destination and university town, the pool of potential rail passengers is much wider than Mr Chalmers appears to realise.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Case for St Andrews railway made in Dundee</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-11-20T19:45:25+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b7e373ac9abf26151cd245ad0f47cecd-163.php#unique-entry-id-163</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b7e373ac9abf26151cd245ad0f47cecd-163.php#unique-entry-id-163</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[During the discussion there was some scepticism over the number of Dundee commuters who lived in St Andrews.   However, it was pointed out that there was a two-way traffic, and that a million people visited St Andrews every year, making it the most visited town of its size in Britain, as well as one of VisitScotland&rsquo;s prime destinations, one of the few economic generators within Fife and also very important in a Scottish context.   One commuter noted that his journey across the Tay took the same length of time as it had 40 years before, despite his now having a much more powerful car, due to the increased traffic congestion.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>National organisation of transport experts to hear case for St Andrews</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-11-17T00:23:25+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/4d853f5e1c2e93f3fbb569a75b973c89-162.php#unique-entry-id-162</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/4d853f5e1c2e93f3fbb569a75b973c89-162.php#unique-entry-id-162</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport (CILT) Scotland will be meeting at 17.30 for 18.00 in Discovery Point, Dundee on Tuesday 20th November.   Admission is free and no booking is required.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fife Council on board</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-11-16T00:11:14+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e6bd7cd502821869926674408c6f687e-161.php#unique-entry-id-161</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e6bd7cd502821869926674408c6f687e-161.php#unique-entry-id-161</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The campaign to restore rail services to St Andrews has received a boost with Fife Council agreeing to investigate taking the proposal further with a view to setting the STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance) procedure in motion. 


Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston said, 'The positive response from Fife Council marks significant progress, especially when added to the interest shown by First Scotrail and the encouraging response from Transport Scotland.   I hope that soon those official transport organisations will be able to take the project forward. 


In the meantime, Starlink has been recording all responses to the Tata report which will be passed on as input to the STAG procedure, as well as the information from the University's travel survey of staff and students.' 


Those who wish more information about the Tata Steel study might be interested to know that its author Howard Pack will be speaking about it to CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport) in Discovery Point, Dundee on Tuesday 20th November, 17.30 for 18.00; admission is free and no booking is required. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Whoever closed St Andrews should have had head examined&#x2c;&#x27; says SoS reader </title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-11-04T15:42:37+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f799c6d1f8840689e8fc5c8db9dd5a23-160.php#unique-entry-id-160</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f799c6d1f8840689e8fc5c8db9dd5a23-160.php#unique-entry-id-160</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[GRC1960 might be interested to know that a new route to St Andrews has been identified and a consultation exercise being carried out prior to the STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance) procedure.   From the results so far it appears that many would concur with GRC1960&rsquo;s sentiments.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Opposition from Links Trust</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-09-29T18:45:33+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3c96d7dddb958b3cf02e10f010a1b77e-159.php#unique-entry-id-159</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3c96d7dddb958b3cf02e10f010a1b77e-159.php#unique-entry-id-159</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Ms Liston went on to say, &lsquo;The concerns if the Links Trust and others will be considered in due course by the appropriate bodies and doubtless efforts will be made to address these.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Links rail at rail link</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-09-28T19:01:30+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/c659cfdb7fe7b0fb1ff013ab5dcaa76f-158.php#unique-entry-id-158</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/c659cfdb7fe7b0fb1ff013ab5dcaa76f-158.php#unique-entry-id-158</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In its response to the consultation, the St Andrews Links Trust has expressed its opposition to proposed new St Andrews railway, saying it &lsquo;can see no benefit at all&rsquo; in the scheme.   However the University of St Andrews takes a much more positive view of the project and has offered to help the next stage of the campaign by providing data from its forthcoming staff & student travel survey to aid the forthcoming STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guide) exercise.


In a report to be tabled at the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council October meeting, Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston, who met a representative of the Trust along with three members of the Community Council, explained that the Links were concerned about the disruptive implications upon Links property, including the new storage building, for which they say there is no other location, the Strathtyrum and Balgove golf courses, where they say there is no space to relocate the affected holes, and also the relocation of the access road and effect upon HGV deliveries. 


...&lsquo;Guardbridge Community Council could see nothing to cause concern, and indeed welcomed the prospect of a reduction in traffic through the village as a result of St Andrews-bound motorists switching to rail. ...  The Merchants and StayinStAndrews were more cautious, but the St Andrews Partnership, while neither for nor against at this stage, have assisted the consultation by encouraging their Facebook and Twitter followers to read the report and submit responses.&rsquo; 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Expert says railways good for town centres</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-09-17T23:42:01+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0f45d3c6861b926f22f9e260e3f5d852-157.php#unique-entry-id-157</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0f45d3c6861b926f22f9e260e3f5d852-157.php#unique-entry-id-157</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In an interview on Radio Scotland, Malcolm Fraser said that because railway stations are located in town centres, they bring people straight into the heart of the town, rather than to the out-of-town shops, thus boosting the traditional high streets.   Alloa was named as a particular example which had benefited from the re-opening of the railway line from Stirling, giving the town a direct connection to Glasgow.


It has to be said, if stations benefit town centres, then the centre of St Andrews should see a real advantage with its new station when it comes.   Mr Fraser&rsquo;s claims and the evidence cited are certainly at odds with those - and they do exist - who say that restoring rail services to St Andrews will bring no benefits whatsoever.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Community Council hears progress report</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-09-03T23:28:35+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/dae72b8fc1cb7a73a9e1a0d720dbd9dd-156.php#unique-entry-id-156</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/dae72b8fc1cb7a73a9e1a0d720dbd9dd-156.php#unique-entry-id-156</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As can be seen from the website, the changes included the addition of a new road from Guardbridge to the C4, thus maintaining vehicle access from the A91 to Kincaple and Strathkinness, and the realignment of the line at the entrance of St Andrews, removing the need for a viaduct over the Old Guardbridge Road.


...The St Andrews Preservation Trust, St Andrews Partnership, St Andrews Merchants&rsquo; Association and Stayinstandrews were contacted by e-mail and invited to respond to the proposals, bearing in mind the following key points.


...&bull;	because new signalling will be required for the new branch line, the semaphore signalling on the main line north of Ladybank will also be upgraded, allowing trains to run more closely together and thus increasing capacity.


...It is unfortunate that none of the above organisations have referred to the key points, as their insight would have been invaluable. 

...Once we have received feedback from these and any other organisations considered necessary, plus held any required events, we should be ready to pass the consultation results to the STAG process. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Positive responses to consultation</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-08-31T23:46:27+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/de06631bb28c074cc0b6a80fd8cd53cb-155.php#unique-entry-id-155</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/de06631bb28c074cc0b6a80fd8cd53cb-155.php#unique-entry-id-155</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The article especially mentioned the St Andrews Partnership, which had encouraged its 8000 Twitter and Facebook followers to read the report and comment.   It also highlighted the interest being shown by Scotrail in the proposals, who were trying to move the process forward, and drew attention to the potential improvement in connections throughout Fife, with journey times from St Andrews to Cupar, Dundee and Dunfermline being slashed, as well as the provision of a direct link from the Home of Golf to Edinburgh Airport interchange.


Since the Citizen was published, the University of St Andrews has offered to provide data from its forthcoming travel survey of staff and students to Starlink, so that it can be used in the STAG procedure, which will be the next step in the campaign.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Amended alignment published</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-08-10T11:28:30+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e1e9be882896d4ae5e5a07275a237e59-154.php#unique-entry-id-154</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e1e9be882896d4ae5e5a07275a237e59-154.php#unique-entry-id-154</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This version (a) retains vehicular access to Kincaple and Strathkinness from the A91 via a new link road and (b) offers an alternative solution in the vicinity of the Old Guardbridge Road.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Former East Neuker urges &#x27;take the long-term view&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-08-04T15:07:35+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/eace14293f836fc0f29421e7971284fb-153.php#unique-entry-id-153</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/eace14293f836fc0f29421e7971284fb-153.php#unique-entry-id-153</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Robert Bracegirdle, now of Rothley, Leicestershire, regrets the loss of the whole East Neuk line and the economic benefits it could have conferred, and furthermore how glad are the people in the vicinity of the recently re-opened Welsh Valley lines.


The text of the letter can be read at:


http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Opinion/Readers-letters/article/24249/august-4-scotland-s-economic-position-will-only-worsen-by-staying-in-the-union.html


It is the fourth letter on the page and headed &lsquo;Think of long-term benefits&rsquo;.


Thank you, Mr Bracegirdle.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Buses &#x27;21st century answer&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-08-03T17:48:28+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0b2aadaa448e86fceadac8074643a1d9-152.php#unique-entry-id-152</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0b2aadaa448e86fceadac8074643a1d9-152.php#unique-entry-id-152</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Allan Chalmers of St Andrews considers that Green Buses are the answer and that the Community Council should set up an Eco-Bus sub-committee.   It is interesting that while Mr Chalmers describes the Tata proposal for a new railway as &lsquo;costly and impractical,&rsquo; he considers the significant works which would be required for Wilson Nicol&rsquo;s suggested improvements to Leuchars Station, with their track realignment, bridge-building and all, as &lsquo;completely feasible&rsquo; and combined with green buses a &lsquo;21st century answer&rsquo; to St Andrews&rsquo; transport requirements.


Unfortunately, these buses are unlikely to be able to travel any faster than the present ones, and certainly nowhere near as fast as a train.   Also, there is a well-known marked resistance from motorists to using buses, though not trains, so the value of buses, be they ever so green, in achieving modal shift is much less than is rail transport.


The address for letters to the St Andrews Citizen is:
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Buses better&#x27; says sceptic</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-07-26T18:24:18+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/620d51249cf8b8dc9010077fb59d8e1c-151.php#unique-entry-id-151</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/620d51249cf8b8dc9010077fb59d8e1c-151.php#unique-entry-id-151</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Firstly, if the railway is impractical clearly it will not be built; however, the evidence so far suggests that it is.   Secondly, it has repeatedly been found that car drivers are notoriously reluctant to switch to a bus service, however good.   The last improvements to the bus service did not result in an emptying of the Leuchars car-park; on the contrary, it was noticed that within a week or so of the said car-park being shortly after enlarged, it was again full to overflowing early in the day.   That is why Edinburgh opted for trams, because too many Edinburgh car-owners were eschewing the excellent bus service and continuing to drive their own cars; however drivers will and do switch to rail options when these are available.


Of course the STAG process will consider all means of transport, but it is extremely likely that the faster and more attractive rail option will come out well ahead of buses, which after all is the status quo.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Boost for rail link campaign</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-07-23T15:00:12+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/69046c07d34de69c5f468d139a1d182b-150.php#unique-entry-id-150</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/69046c07d34de69c5f468d139a1d182b-150.php#unique-entry-id-150</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston noted that the Community Council had raised the question of the increasing traffic congestion in St Andrews.   She also took the opportunity to point out that any loss of car-parking spaces at the station site would be much less than some had claimed, and that electrification, mooted for the Edinburgh-Dundee line, would remove any threat of increased diesel pollution.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Positive response from Scotrail</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-07-20T19:58:58+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/888f828004b5d4658055f46635fc43d9-149.php#unique-entry-id-149</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/888f828004b5d4658055f46635fc43d9-149.php#unique-entry-id-149</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Following a meeting with Scotrail Development officials, Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston said she hoped that organisations invited to comment would take the opportunity to do so, otherwise, in the absence of a reply, assumptions would have to be made.   She also confirmed that Tata Steel was undertaking further work in response to points already raised during the consultation.


...http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/study-signals-support-for-st-andrews-rail-link-1-2421727


On the letters page of the same newspaper, Wilson Nichol draws attention to the shortcomings of Leuchars Station as a gateway to St Andrews, and proposes a &lsquo;more modest and useful&rsquo; scheme, involving moving the northbound line west, widening the platform, and building an access road from the Balmullo Road bridge and another bridge on to the main road, for buses, taxis and cars dropping off passengers. 


While Mr Nichol is quite right to highlight the fact that Leuchars is not passenger-friendly, accessible as it is only by a footbridge which is exposed to the elements, the sort of improvements he suggests are likely to be rather more expensive than one might at first imagine, and are not likely to generate anything like the increase in revenue which a new line to St Andrews will bring.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Sceptic Writes</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-06-29T19:29:52+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9c76cb2ba6725118d6354cc7d04829a1-148.php#unique-entry-id-148</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9c76cb2ba6725118d6354cc7d04829a1-148.php#unique-entry-id-148</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[&bull; Why did it take 20 years for the Starlink campaign to get underway; &lsquo;most of the other railways&rsquo; (unspecified) &lsquo;threatened with closure at the same time started their fights straight away.&rsquo;


...&bull; The strategy has changed over the years from calling for &lsquo;an hourly service&rsquo; (I think Mr Beech means journey time, not frequency) to Edinburgh to over an hour to the airport.


&bull; 20 minutes to Dundee is no use for people shopping the town centre, and what about Guardbridge, St Michaels and Drumoig.


&bull; The money spent on lights on the cycle-path between St Andrews and Guardbridge will have been wasted because cyclists will all take the train.


...&bull; What about the environmental impact of the embankment and viaduct on the view of the town to visitors? ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Magazine coverage</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-06-23T11:33:43+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/16e0a02759b9acaf33c687c2cf649dbc-147.php#unique-entry-id-147</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/16e0a02759b9acaf33c687c2cf649dbc-147.php#unique-entry-id-147</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In the meantime work continues.   Options are being developed for some of the more contentious features of the route, in particular the implications for the road from the A91 to Kincaple and Strathkinness and the requirement for a viaduct over the Old Guardbridge Road.   In addition, the siting of the station should not result in a great loss of car-parking, though one would hope that it would reduce demand for it, and there is scope to provide more if required.   As for the complaint that a railway would increase diesel pollution, as the Scottish Government is now talking about electrifying the line to Dundee, St Andrews could be built with electric capability.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Support from St Andrews Partnership Forum</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-06-18T09:15:40+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/91dad385da13134dc1f9eb706ec0785b-146.php#unique-entry-id-146</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/91dad385da13134dc1f9eb706ec0785b-146.php#unique-entry-id-146</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The audience, which included representatives of the St Andrews Preservation Trust, Stay in St Andrews, the Merchants&rsquo; Association and the Students&rsquo; Association, applauded the report and raised no objections.   Afterwards there was an opportunity for those attending to view the drawings of the indicative route.   The next steps will be to seek further feedback from the partnership Board and other organisations.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Further correspondence</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-06-15T22:16:57+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a89a2b4a5990f485091092c5d9a715d0-145.php#unique-entry-id-145</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a89a2b4a5990f485091092c5d9a715d0-145.php#unique-entry-id-145</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[St Andrews resident Allan Chalmers claims that he is &lsquo;reliably informed&rsquo; that TayPlan has already advised the Scottish Government that there should be no reference to a railway, on the grounds of practicability and the bus service being deemed sufficient, and this report was published in April.   However that was before the publication of the Tata Steel findings in May, and the indications since from Transport Scotland and Scotrail are that they think otherwise.   As to the bus service, readers might recall that not at all long before the decision to restore the Alloa line was taken, the powers-that-be were maintaining that Alloa did not need a railway, and that buses would do; of course, that rail service is now carrying many more passengers than was predicted. 

...Rogers is also concerned about the loss of car-parking, and describes the whole idea of a railway as &lsquo;madness&rsquo;, when the main concern of St Andrews is getting a new school. ...  Rogers also asks how much it would cost (it&rsquo;s in the report - &pound;76M) and wants to know who is paying for &lsquo;all this madness&rsquo;. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Councillor concerned but Community Council on board</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-06-09T00:45:27+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/807d9b2ea25c1da6090bfd0eb2985811-144.php#unique-entry-id-144</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/807d9b2ea25c1da6090bfd0eb2985811-144.php#unique-entry-id-144</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Responding, Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston said, &lsquo;Cllr Thomson&rsquo;s feedback is welcome, though some of the information he seeks is indeed in the report.   I look forward to providing him with some clarification.


In the meantime I can reveal that Transport Scotland has provided very positive comments and Sir Menzies Campbell MP has reaffirmed his support for the rail campaign, although pointing out that there will be significant hurdles to overcome.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Community Council strengthens support</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-05-28T23:33:49+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/2142c0ddec9e6b4603952871b324abb5-143.php#unique-entry-id-143</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/2142c0ddec9e6b4603952871b324abb5-143.php#unique-entry-id-143</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Community Council&rsquo;s commitment was welcomed by the Starlink convenor.   Jane Ann Liston said, &lsquo;This exercise sits well with the Community Council&rsquo;s remit to ascertain the views of the community and represent these to public bodies.   I look forward to working with them to bring about further progress.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Good&#x2c; The Bad and &#x2026;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-05-25T11:33:01+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/de6f83de716f4cdd992207b2504bae0c-142.php#unique-entry-id-142</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/de6f83de716f4cdd992207b2504bae0c-142.php#unique-entry-id-142</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In the Citizen letters, St Andrews resident John Birkett hoped that the Tata report &lsquo;was sufficiently well-founded&rsquo; and that the service would indeed be self-financing and would not have too averse an effect upon buses and taxis. ...  Anderson from Crail, however, was not convinced, because the train from St Andrews to Edinburgh would take longer than that from Leuchars to the capital, the line would be &lsquo;very poor value and quite unnecessary&rsquo;, and people like himself in the East Neuk would continue to drive to Leuchars because they wouldn&rsquo;t be able to park in St Andrews. ...  Furthermore it is certainly not true that the buses &lsquo;connect&rsquo; with all trains; there is no bus from St Andrews to enable passengers to catch the first train south at Leuchars on a Sunday, for example.   Allan Chalmers of St Andrews continues the complaint about the loss of &lsquo;a vast number&rsquo; of car-parking places, and also is concerned about the fumes from diesel trains along the route and being brought into &lsquo;the heart of the town&rsquo;; as it is &lsquo;inevitable&rsquo; that buses and cars will still be used, he continues, the reintroduction of trains &lsquo;would simply bring an additional and undesirable pollutant to this town.&rsquo; 

...Patrick Laughlin, manager of the St Andrews Partnership identified the two main user groups as being students from all over the world and tourists and said, &lsquo;There&rsquo;s no doubt there is genuine public and business interest in having a train service. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Study shows St Andrews railway would be profitable</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-05-18T18:41:21+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/91fa312ea68687c170a2ef98eac6486e-141.php#unique-entry-id-141</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/91fa312ea68687c170a2ef98eac6486e-141.php#unique-entry-id-141</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The text of the St Andrews Citizen article can be found at:


http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/st-andrews-rail-link-study-points-to-1-6m-in-profits-1-2301783]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Delighted&#x27; from St Monans</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-05-18T12:09:59+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5f281752f60bb97009e285f9e88d6a39-140.php#unique-entry-id-140</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5f281752f60bb97009e285f9e88d6a39-140.php#unique-entry-id-140</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Here is the text of Rich Gordon&rsquo;s letter in today&rsquo;s Courier:


http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Opinion/Readers-letters/article/22818/may-18-hope-plans-for-reconnecting-st-andrews-rail-link-really-do-come-to-fruition.html


In his Citizen letter Mr Gordon expresses the hope that the new railway will be backed by elected representatives and not discarded in favour of a &lsquo;far less sensible road bypass extension&rsquo;, and finishes by stating, &lsquo;StARLink has my absolute and unwavering support.&rsquo;


Well done, sir.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews rail plans &#x27;great news&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-05-14T19:59:43+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/eb842c497f2bc3da1ff82e71dc6bd45b-139.php#unique-entry-id-139</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/eb842c497f2bc3da1ff82e71dc6bd45b-139.php#unique-entry-id-139</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Colin C.   Maclean of Edinburgh wrote that, like many other Scottish towns,  St Andrews should never have lost its rail connection, and describes plans to reconnect it by a completely new alignment as &lsquo;great news&rsquo;.   Mr Maclean, however, warns against an over-long gestation period, as has happened with other albeit successful rail re-openings, to avoid excessive construction costs.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Press coverage of feasibility study</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-05-12T10:39:59+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/dc726ae89590ee9b4c27f69522d1a7d0-138.php#unique-entry-id-138</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/dc726ae89590ee9b4c27f69522d1a7d0-138.php#unique-entry-id-138</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Courier report noted that representatives from the Scottish Government, VisitScotland, Fife Council and the Links Trust were present, as were MSP Rod Campbell and Fife councillors Tim Brett and Keith McCartney.


The article highlighted details of the proposed route, an hourly service to Edinburgh, including stops at Cupar, Dunfermline and the new Edinburgh Airport station, and also to Dundee (although there is an option for a half-hourly service for the latter).


Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston said, &lsquo;At long last a feasibility study has been done into how to connect St Andrews to the railway, and it&rsquo;s all very exciting.   The findings are that it&rsquo;s possible, and there&rsquo;s a demand for it.&rsquo;


Already the next stage, that of consultation, has begun, in response to points made at the presentation, including further options for the more difficult locations on the route, before the case is passed to Transport Scotland.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews Railway - yes&#x2c; it can be done&#x21;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-05-11T22:55:05+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9fe879a249ff9117536c90275f5647f1-137.php#unique-entry-id-137</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9fe879a249ff9117536c90275f5647f1-137.php#unique-entry-id-137</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[They heard that there was a strong demand for a rail service, which would result in considerable revenue benefits, as well as those of time saved and modal shift from car to train.   Furthermore, connections within Fife would improve, doubling the rail service to Cupar, which would be reached in just 10 minutes, and offering a direct link with Dunfermline just 49 minutes away. ...  Trains would also serve Edinburgh Airport via the proposed Edinburgh Gateway interchange, which could be particularly attractive to visitors from overseas by making St Andrews much easier to reach.


The presentation was very well received by the audience, which included some individuals who had attended the launch of the Starlink campaign 23 years ago.   Now it is over to the authorities: in particular SESTRAN, Transport Scotland and Fife Council, to take the project a stage further.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Feasibility Study launch on Friday</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-05-09T09:58:03+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/1885ad291a850953d685d5cc206574b6-136.php#unique-entry-id-136</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/1885ad291a850953d685d5cc206574b6-136.php#unique-entry-id-136</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The report, commissioned by Starlink, was funded by generous donations from Rail Future Scotland, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council, Rail Future UK as well as smaller organisations and individuals from throughout Britain.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Study expected to back case for new rail link&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-04-09T19:12:04+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/40c899ae79d0735db1b8c2de96a60642-135.php#unique-entry-id-135</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/40c899ae79d0735db1b8c2de96a60642-135.php#unique-entry-id-135</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston said that the latest findings included several innovations and identified Cupar as one of the locations which would benefit from the better connections and suggested that the new Green Investment Bank, which has a remit to support green infrastructure projects, might be a source of funding.   Patrick Laughlin, manager of the St Andrews Partnership, said that although a railway would be a long-term prospect rather than a &lsquo;quick win&rsquo;,  there was &lsquo;widespread community and business interest&rsquo; in the idea.


The Courier cited two previous studies which were not so optimistic.   However it should be noted that both of these were looking at a wider field than just St Andrews, with the FAST (Fife & South Tayside) exercise of 1999 including only a cursory look at the possibility and the subsequent Tay Estuary Rail Study only considering a Dundee-Leuchars-St Andrews service while ignoring the much greater demand for travel to Edinburgh and further south.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More Press coverage</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-03-06T18:21:27+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/faad6d7eb86f7e36579edf2bb724449f-134.php#unique-entry-id-134</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/faad6d7eb86f7e36579edf2bb724449f-134.php#unique-entry-id-134</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Herald said that a report &lsquo;suggested reconnecting the famous Fife golf town to the rail system could help boost tourism&rsquo; while the Daily Record said that, according to the consultants, &lsquo;a line to Edinburgh would bring thousands of pounds from the capital&rsquo;.   Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston was quoted, &lsquo;We now have something concrete to look at - all the signs are good.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;StARLink could be profitable&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-03-05T18:00:44+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/960f218d09653442c8e68f41ae89fd22-133.php#unique-entry-id-133</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/960f218d09653442c8e68f41ae89fd22-133.php#unique-entry-id-133</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The new alignment, which avoids the sharper curves of the 19th century construction, makes possible journey times such as 6 minutes between St Andrews and Leuchars, and 10 minutes from St Andrews to Cupar, via junctions with the main line at Moonzie and Seggiehill respectively.   Edinburgh Airport would be reached from St Andrews in just over an hour.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Coffee-morning success</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-03-04T22:28:32+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/27b11fba1ef9891bbc3910a568fbcdd0-132.php#unique-entry-id-132</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/27b11fba1ef9891bbc3910a568fbcdd0-132.php#unique-entry-id-132</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A reporter and photographer from The Courier attended to see the preliminary feasibility results which were on display, including the optimal route and the draft timetable.   Coverage is expected within the next few days.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Coming soon - best coffee in St Andrews</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-02-18T12:21:09+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6e2e9a00131c0529cf787e9546f2b74d-131.php#unique-entry-id-131</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6e2e9a00131c0529cf787e9546f2b74d-131.php#unique-entry-id-131</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Admission &pound;1; Fair Trade coffee and tea will be served.


Donations for stalls welcome; please contact: 


starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk


to arrange pick-up/delivery.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Response to Transport Scotland rail consultation</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-02-17T12:01:39+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/868b476c8ae984dc955277b358a393d6-130.php#unique-entry-id-130</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/868b476c8ae984dc955277b358a393d6-130.php#unique-entry-id-130</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Full article can be read here:


http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/starlink_rail_against_cross_border_train_plan_1_2121244]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink participates in national rail consultation</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-02-09T10:44:08+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ab8702f6ac2c85911815f8e1c06e89ba-129.php#unique-entry-id-129</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ab8702f6ac2c85911815f8e1c06e89ba-129.php#unique-entry-id-129</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[From a situation which had pertained for many years, where all trains stopped at Leuchars, it being the stop for St Andrews, recently one or two have been running straight through due to the constraints of the semaphore signalling north of Ladybank. 

...NB: We do not accept the claim in 5.11 that &lsquo;journey times on commuter services will be more crucial than on tourist routes&rsquo;; tourists may be under equal or greater pressure to be somewhere at a certain time, for example to catch a ferry, an aeroplane or even another train.


...There are instances where buying tickets from A-B and B-C is cheaper than a ticket from A-C (for example, Aberdeen, Stonehaven and Leuchars) and others where the shorter route, going away from the busy Central Belt costs more than the long way round via Edinburgh (for example, Leuchars-Glasgow via Dundee rather than Edinburgh). 

...It is not clear upon which trains the people who claimed that they are little-used north of Edinburgh were travelling; the East Coast and Cross Country trains are extremely popular with Leuchars passengers, who are mostly travelling to and from St Andrews of course. 

...The present set-up is only convenient either to someone wanting to travel by bus to meet a train arriving, or someone sitting at Leuchars station who is undecided whether to catch a train or just to catch a bus to St Andrews; there cannot be very many in either category, compared with those who are changing between bus and train.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink back at the Byre</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2012-02-05T12:42:58+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/13a8a4cd8b79853afa523781850536fc-128.php#unique-entry-id-128</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/13a8a4cd8b79853afa523781850536fc-128.php#unique-entry-id-128</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The stall in the foyer, which attracted significant interest,  included not only Tata Steel&rsquo;s draft route but also an extract from the draft timetable, recently produced in collaboration with Transport Scotland.


As to the play itself, the climax was the announcement of Starlink&rsquo;s convenor Jane Ann Liston as the winner of the Big Green Welly award, an environmental accolade which exists firmly in the mind of the playwright, and her appearance on the stage to great acclaim!


Starlink convenor discussing route and timetable with theatre-goer at Byre Thatre, St Andrews]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Reply from SESTRAN</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-10-17T22:37:53+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b731e26db3fb30315014c7ec78659715-127.php#unique-entry-id-127</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b731e26db3fb30315014c7ec78659715-127.php#unique-entry-id-127</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Trond Haugen, Advisor to SESTRAN, has replied to Starlink as follows:


&lsquo;I can advise that we have asked TAYPLAN to include a statement in their SDP along the lines of: "In developing their Local Plans, the Local Planning Authority should consider the appropriateness of protecting the alignment of the Leuchars to St Andrews rail line for future use as a transport corridor"


This should alert planners to the potential use of the route for transport purposes.


&nbsp;I would appreciate to hear what Transport Scotland have to say about the proposals.&rsquo;
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink contacts SESTRAN</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-10-08T22:32:24+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/39284fa06cea325ed45a1b1083f35533-126.php#unique-entry-id-126</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/39284fa06cea325ed45a1b1083f35533-126.php#unique-entry-id-126</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Starlink campaign contacted SESTRAN (South East Scotland Transport Partnership) to update them with progress and to request that they make appropriate representations to TayPlan.


...As North East Fife still comes under SESTRAN, despite being in the TayPlan area, I thought I should let you know about the study being carried out into the St Andrews railway, only 22 years late!   Tata Steel rail division is doing the work and so far has come up with the optimal route and an estimate.    I have attached an electronic copy of the overall indicative route which I hope will be of assistance. 

...I hope that, having drawn the latest developments to the attention of SESTRAN, that it too will be able to include it in its remit.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Support in East Neuk</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-10-22T22:02:53+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/bc1183b18049377d8ab5f7c82dbb16be-125.php#unique-entry-id-125</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/bc1183b18049377d8ab5f7c82dbb16be-125.php#unique-entry-id-125</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Starlink campaign received several positive responses and expressions of support at a charity fair in Crail, 10 miles from St Andrews.   Particular interest was shown in the preliminary drawing of the new route.


The map of the optimised route by Tata Steel aroused great interest amongst those attending the fair.


In addition, sales of promotional items raised &pound;30; thanks to all who contributed.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Case for St Andrews Railway made on BBC Radio Scotland</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-09-26T13:06:56+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f5906c8c4c57792a2538fb4fc0c473a8-124.php#unique-entry-id-124</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f5906c8c4c57792a2538fb4fc0c473a8-124.php#unique-entry-id-124</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston today made the case for a St Andrews railway in one and a half minutes in the soapbox slot on the John Beattie programme on BBC Radio Scotland.


...Since losing its station in 1969, St Andrews, one of Scotland&rsquo;s main tourist resorts and its oldest university town, has been marooned from the rail network with the nearest station now nearly six miles away at Leuchars. 

...The town features amongst the top destinations of VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise & Trip Advisor, but it remains the only Scottish university town, and one of only a handful in Britain, without a station.


...Buses are clearly not an attractive option for car-drivers, even for the five or six miles to Leuchars, judging by the empty seats on the buses although the recently-expanded station car-park is filled to overflowing every day, but there are plenty of empty bus-seats. 

...Five miles of railway line would bring St Andrews to within an hour&rsquo;s travel of Edinburgh, 20 minutes from Dundee and would greatly ease the daily movement of large numbers of tourists, students and commuters. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Reply from Transport Minister</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-09-16T14:33:58+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/db29b74d63ec0924cbbed2e677a3925d-123.php#unique-entry-id-123</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/db29b74d63ec0924cbbed2e677a3925d-123.php#unique-entry-id-123</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Minister for Housing & Transport, Keith Brown MSP, has replied to the e-mail from Starlink, warning that the scheme will have to be supported by a &lsquo;robust&rsquo; business case in line with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance but suggesting a meeting with Transport Scotland once the study is complete.


...While I welcome the work undertaken by Starlink, any transport proposals seeking Scottish Government funding or which would impact the strategic network must be supported by a robust business case, undertaken in line with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance


...STAG is an objective led process, which requires all potential modes and options are considered to ensure the optimal solution to a particular transport problem or opportunity is identified.


When the draft timetable and demand forecasts are available I would recommend you seek a meeting with Transport Scotland officials to discuss the proposals in detail. 

...Starlink will certainly be taking up Mr Brown&rsquo;s suggestion of contacting Transport Scotland once the study is complete, and look forward to making the case to them.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink contacts Transport Minister</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-08-30T23:15:42+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/34952eb1676681241a2f51ddb1005abc-122.php#unique-entry-id-122</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/34952eb1676681241a2f51ddb1005abc-122.php#unique-entry-id-122</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Starlink campaign has contacted Keith Brown MSP, the Transport Minister in the Scottish Government, informing him of the progress of the feasibility study so far.


Jane Ann Liston, Starlink Convenor, e-mailed Mr Brown as follows:


&lsquo;I am e-mailing to let you know about the progress of the Starlink (St Andrews Rail Link) campaign, and attach the indicative optimal route and initial estimate. ...  The Scottish National Party was the first to publicly back the campaign and as you will see Alex Salmond has also expressed his support.

I hope you find the information interesting and will let you know once the study is complete.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Feasibility Study - update</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-09-10T23:05:56+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/daafd44b58d91ee9142b48669a8da0ff-121.php#unique-entry-id-121</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/daafd44b58d91ee9142b48669a8da0ff-121.php#unique-entry-id-121</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As it is now a year since the appeal for funds for the Corus (now Tata Steel) study was launched, I thought I would let you know what progress has been made.   We now have an optimal route and an estimate of the cost of reinstatement.   Still to come are the passenger forecast, draft timetable, and carbon saving calculations.


The details of both route and estimate will be published once the study is completed.   However I can say that the route covers both north and south travel, branches off the East Coast Main Line further south than did the old line, crosses under the main road and finishes up in the old station site, next to the bus station. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mention in Modern Railways</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-07-21T11:13:47+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/dd9c79e1cb14efdaec5fd000d83b1d69-120.php#unique-entry-id-120</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/dd9c79e1cb14efdaec5fd000d83b1d69-120.php#unique-entry-id-120</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The ongoing Tata study into reconnecting St Andrews is mentioned in the new (August) edition of Modern Railways magazine, as a &lsquo;potential test-bed for lower-cost railway construction&rsquo;.   The project is described as being driven by local enthusiasm and recognition of rail&rsquo;s benefits.


Inclusion in Modern Railways is extremely welcome, not just because it is a prestigious publication, but also because it emphasises the forward-looking of this project.   The overwhelming need is for a new rail service which fulfils the requirements of the 21st century, rather than a reinstatement of a Victorian or even 1960s service.   That being said, the charter train market is likely to have a part to play, perhaps even with locomotive 4472 hauling the Northern Belle Orient Express into St Andrews for the Open one day, but the Starlink campaign is first and foremost one for a normal rail service to this economically-important destination.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink&#x27;s submission to TayPlan</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-07-23T11:03:36+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/1b3430954d7127bbe4b8dc0e6156013d-119.php#unique-entry-id-119</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/1b3430954d7127bbe4b8dc0e6156013d-119.php#unique-entry-id-119</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This is shown by its inclusion in the top 6 Scottish Enterprise locations, the top 10 Visit Scotland destinations (7th), as well as the TripAdvisor UK destinations (9th). ...  St Andrews regularly features among the leading universities, yet it is the only Scottish university town without a railway station, and one of only a handful, including Cranfield, Buckingham, Keele and Lampeter, in Britain.

A railway is the most likely way to achieve modal shift from cars; drivers are much more likely to use public transport when the option is a train than a bus (40% as opposed to 7%, according to a German corridor study). 

...Road infrastructure improvements, such as are suggested for St Andrews, are known to increase car use and as such are unlikely to achieve the stated aim of modal shift from the private car. 

...It should be noted that the Tata Steel study currently being completed is the only exercise since the original line's closure in 1969 whose sole purpose has  been the investigation of the feasibility of reconnecting St Andrews to the railway.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Community Council get details of new route</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-07-22T10:53:40+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/2e6edd370637b1977d4c7e7ad7c0f8d1-118.php#unique-entry-id-118</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/2e6edd370637b1977d4c7e7ad7c0f8d1-118.php#unique-entry-id-118</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The St Andrews Citizen covered the brief presentation made by Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston about the progress of the Tata Steel feasibility study, including a preview of the proposed route.


...Nearly 22 years after its launch the Starlink (St Andrews Rail Link) campaign was back at the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council to report on the progress of the ongoing feasibility study by Tata Steel, the Community Council having made a substantial contribution to the costs.

Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston showed the meeting preliminary drawings of the optimal route as identified by Tata Steel, and asked that the CC make a short submission to TayPlan requesting the inclusion of the safeguarding of land for a railway line and station, similar to the statement in the 2001 Fife Structure Plan, but using the Tata drawing as an indication.

Ms Liston revealed that she had already asked Fife Council to get such a paragraph included in TayPlan and they had promised to do what they could.

Although the route is only an indication, it comprises a new alignment with north and south chords to the mail line, enabling travel both north and south, and terminating beside the bus-station, thus facilitating integrated public transport. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New route taken to Community Council</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-07-04T00:16:02+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/095fc637197075016a0ce6f58428b59e-117.php#unique-entry-id-117</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/095fc637197075016a0ce6f58428b59e-117.php#unique-entry-id-117</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The preliminary drawings of the route for the new St Andrews Railway were presented to the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council.


Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston thanked the Community Council again for their generous contribution to the study and requested that they request the inclusion of the safeguarding of land for the line in TayPlan.   The members had an opportunity to study the drawings which they did with interest.   The Planning Convenor undertook to consider the matter at their meeting the following week.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Detailed plans deposited with Fife Council</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-06-30T11:29:40+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/c171f822b466642f4d5314994e52ce61-116.php#unique-entry-id-116</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/c171f822b466642f4d5314994e52ce61-116.php#unique-entry-id-116</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A copy of the preliminary drawings has been handed over to Fife Council with the request that they get the safeguarding of the route into the new TayPlan.


Tayplan will superseded the Fife Structure Plan in North East Fife and its equivalent in the Dundee area.   The final consultation closes on 1st August so any representations must be submitted by then. 

...Anyone may make a submission to this plan.   Starlink will be requesting that land be safeguarded for the line and station and including the Tata drawing as an indicative route.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Preliminary rail route revealed at St Andrews Partnership forum</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-06-27T11:23:48+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/48dc4cd55b5b478e7ec7d8c3602e02d8-115.php#unique-entry-id-115</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/48dc4cd55b5b478e7ec7d8c3602e02d8-115.php#unique-entry-id-115</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The route includes both north and south connections to the main line, allowing direct services to both Edinburgh and Dundee.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Review of broadcast</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-07-01T10:47:24+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e2bca9761342bebbe20ac364f4e26c9c-114.php#unique-entry-id-114</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e2bca9761342bebbe20ac364f4e26c9c-114.php#unique-entry-id-114</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The St Andrews Citizen featured the Radio 4 broadcast from last week, in which Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston emphasised ed the importance of St Andrews as an economic generator and that rail would be the most efficient way of ferrying in the large numbers of tourists, students and commuters. 

...The profile of the Starlink (St Andrews Rail Link) campaign received a welcome boost on Friday when it was included in the Radio 4 documentary 'Reversing Dr Beeching'.   During her interview by Douglas Fraser, BBC Scotland's Economics & Business editor, campaign convenor Jane Ann Liston stressed the importance of St Andrews as an economic generator, and the subsequent necessity of transporting the large numbers of tourists, students and commuters in and out of the town as efficiently as possible, which would be best achieved by rail.   She noted that St Andrews was the only Scottish university town without a station, and that even south of the Border there were only a handful of universities remote from the rail network.

Afterwards, Ms Liston said, 'Including the St Andrews campaign in a programme which also featured the successful rail re-openings of Airdrie-Bathgate and Larkhall-Milnagavie was extremely valuable, raising its profile and increasing its credibility. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Preview of broadcast</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-06-23T10:42:21+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b9c676dc7d5d0cc0aa8256e2ee8b4137-113.php#unique-entry-id-113</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b9c676dc7d5d0cc0aa8256e2ee8b4137-113.php#unique-entry-id-113</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(null)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Reversing Dr Beeching&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-06-24T21:51:59+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e4505da157389878f3a7f25b236b8cb1-112.php#unique-entry-id-112</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e4505da157389878f3a7f25b236b8cb1-112.php#unique-entry-id-112</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The programme featured Professor David Begg and included contributions about Airdrie-Bathgate, Larkhall, Leven, and the Borders, as well as St Andrews.


Including St Andrews in a programme with successful re-openings (Airdrie-Bathgate and Larkhall) as well as projects which are further advanced (Leven and the Borders) definitely increases the profile and the credibility of the St Andrews case.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Forthcoming Radio 4 Documentary</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-06-21T11:37:33+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/feb81edb9ffcac4e039a257862ee4d05-111.php#unique-entry-id-111</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/feb81edb9ffcac4e039a257862ee4d05-111.php#unique-entry-id-111</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston was interviewed by BBC Scotland&rsquo;s business & economy editor, Douglas Fraser, at Leuchars Station for the programme.   Although St Andrews was not itself proposed for closure by Dr Beeching, his earlier axing of the Fife Coast line between St Andrews and Leven left both towns at the wrong end of a branch line, and paved the way for their closure during BR&rsquo;s subsequent near-eradication of branch lines.   Because of this, it can be argued that St Andrews was one of Beeching&rsquo;s unintended victims.


As well as stressing the economic advantages of reconnecting St Andrews, during the interview Ms Liston mentioned the ongoing Tata Steel feasibility study.   A preliminary map of the proposed route has now been produced and will shortly be published on this site.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Very few&#x27; visitors take train to St Andrews</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-04-19T12:09:58+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/678f3ee6459563d4248377d5d7a85778-110.php#unique-entry-id-110</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/678f3ee6459563d4248377d5d7a85778-110.php#unique-entry-id-110</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Starlink (St Andrews Rail Link) campaign claimed that the recent St Andrews Tourism survey results vindicated its call for a rail connection to the town.

'Is it really surprising that 'very few' visitors to St Andrews cited the train as their main mode of reaching the town when it doesn't have a railway station of its own?

...As anyone can see by the line of cars parked all the way along Station Road at Leuchars because the recently-expanded car-park is always full, it is clear that the prospect of having to change from train to bus is simply not attractive enough to tempt drivers from behind the wheel.

A railway to St Andrews has the potential to alleviate, not only the parking problem at Leuchars but also, because a third of the respondents admitted to coming by car, traffic congestion in St Andrews itself.   The questionnaire distributed by Starlink at various events within the last eighteen months shows that 72% of visitors who drove the whole way to St Andrews would be willing to use a railway.']]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Surely St Andrews has a railway?&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-03-27T11:32:46+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f06b07ab593f4facf2e9e3f4855c4ab8-109.php#unique-entry-id-109</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f06b07ab593f4facf2e9e3f4855c4ab8-109.php#unique-entry-id-109</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Following an item on BBC Radio Scotland&rsquo;s &lsquo;Out of Doors&rsquo; about a campaign to re-open Newburgh station, listeners were asked to contact the programme with further suggestions for re-openings.   Jennifer from Inverness drew the lack of a station at the Home of Golf to the programme&rsquo;s attention.   Mark and Euan described St Andrews as a &lsquo;glaringly obvious&rsquo; candidate for re-opening. the Starlink campaign agrees; thank you, gentlemen, and Jennifer from Inverness too.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Use St Andrews Open windfall for railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-03-18T12:42:51+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a6b0065a5ca730b7c1eb1b50884625f9-108.php#unique-entry-id-108</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a6b0065a5ca730b7c1eb1b50884625f9-108.php#unique-entry-id-108</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It is excellent news that the Open at St Andrews last year made &pound;100M, &pound;20M more than predicted.   &pound;40M of that was generated in the immediate area of the Fife town.   So how about using some of this windfall to build a new railway to St Andrews? 

Every five years this little town is descended upon by the entire golf world, and its inadequate infrastructure creaks under the onslaught.   Reconnecting the Home of Golf to the rail network would help to recompense the people of St Andrews and the surrounding area, for whom this quinquennial invasion is not an unmixed blessing.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Coffee-morning and news of feasibility study</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-03-05T20:54:37+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d6ff44164a0930f872ec8a1d2bd8b938-107.php#unique-entry-id-107</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d6ff44164a0930f872ec8a1d2bd8b938-107.php#unique-entry-id-107</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In addition, a passenger forecast and timetable are being worked up, with the assistance of the St Andrews tourism data for the past 12 months.   This is the first time in many years that information pertaining to St Andrews as opposed to the whole of Fife has been collected.


Recent reports have predicted that golf tourism is likely to expand considerably over the next few years, leading the way out of the recession:


http://www.comparecarhire.co.uk/news/scotland-to-grow-golf-tourism-53825529.html


A rail connection to St Andrews would greatly assist in this economic recovery, particularly if the cost of fuel makes motoring a less attractive option.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Coming soon - coffee morning</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2011-02-15T09:38:53+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ec065108cb815e2ea2c27549820abe37-106.php#unique-entry-id-106</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ec065108cb815e2ea2c27549820abe37-106.php#unique-entry-id-106</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Fair trade beverages will be served, including real coffee, and home baking, books and bric-a-brac will be on sale.   It is also hoped that there will be further news of our feasibility study, which is currently under way.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Report of theatrical success</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-11-19T10:19:49+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/abd6d69207f5c6fb64ff5ecc7fc1a671-105.php#unique-entry-id-105</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/abd6d69207f5c6fb64ff5ecc7fc1a671-105.php#unique-entry-id-105</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Theatregoers attending the St Andrews Play Club's production of the 'Titfield Thunderbolt' last week had the opportunity to learn about another rail enterprise.   The Starlink (St Andrews Rail Link) campaign had a small display in the foyer, which included a map of the initial route proposals from Corus Rail Infrastructure Services.

Convenor Jane Ann Liston said, 'With the play being about a community fighting to keep its rail service, it was an ideal opportunity for the Starlink campaign to raise awareness of developments in the campaign to restore trains to St Andrews, and particularly of the ongoing feasibility study.   Considerable interest was displayed by the audience members who generously donated a total of &pound;45 towards funding the remainder of the study, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.'


...There was of course a preference for the option which included both southbound and northbound travel.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Theatre success</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-11-14T12:21:43+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ade9c271e0cc0d0fdcf90a7edff508d9-104.php#unique-entry-id-104</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ade9c271e0cc0d0fdcf90a7edff508d9-104.php#unique-entry-id-104</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The status of the campaign was illustrated by an oblique reference in the play itself!   In the foyer, particular interest was shown in the indicative routes from Corus.   Thank you to all who donated - the total raised is now &pound;3700.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink at the Byre</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-11-11T10:39:43+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/db1129623faade5998d8029900c30b7c-103.php#unique-entry-id-103</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/db1129623faade5998d8029900c30b7c-103.php#unique-entry-id-103</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The play is about the fight of a small community to retain their rail service which is threatened with closure.   A display showing recent Press coverage of the appeal and an indicative map of possible routes, as well as some photos of the old station, are in the upstairs foyer.   There will be an opportunity to make donations to the feasibility study fund before and after each performance and during the interval.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Further coverage</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-10-29T13:07:49+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ec2f14fedadb13c0e9881c748cda8176-102.php#unique-entry-id-102</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ec2f14fedadb13c0e9881c748cda8176-102.php#unique-entry-id-102</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[STArlink, the campaign to reconnect the link, has received a further boost to its appeal for funds to enable a proper feasibility study to be carried out into the possibility of a new St Andrews railway line.


The study, carried out by Corus Rail Infrastructure Services, is already underway and Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston said she was now confident of raising enough money to enable the full exercise to be completed.


...&lsquo;Combined with the Scottish branch's grant of &pound;1500, that means the campaigning organisation has provided almost half of the cost, said Ms Liston.


&lsquo;The other generous contributions, including a total of &pound;1000 from St Andrews Community Council, means that the target of &pound;4700 is well within reach.&rsquo;


The Dornoch Rail Action Group,had also made a contribution, Ms Liston added, and there had been support from Harrogate and Grantown on Spey, as well as throughout Fife.&rsquo;
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More donations</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-10-25T23:31:35+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9f6e04331c3f06960179bc60487532ed-101.php#unique-entry-id-101</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9f6e04331c3f06960179bc60487532ed-101.php#unique-entry-id-101</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It is extremely encouraging to see more money coming from St Andrews itself.   The total money received and pledged is now around &pound;3500, so we are three-quarters of the way there.   All contributions most welcome.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Network Rail&#x27;s new advert</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-10-21T21:23:41+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/021b2cf6de851ecd1990f3ece3ca6a9f-100.php#unique-entry-id-100</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/021b2cf6de851ecd1990f3ece3ca6a9f-100.php#unique-entry-id-100</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This is an excellent opportunity for some letters in the Press.   If the advertisement is in a paper you read, whether national or local, why not write/e-mail to the Editor pointing out that, although Kelly from Armadale can now get on a train in her home town, she won&rsquo;t be able to get off one in Scotland&rsquo;s oldest university town.   The more letters from the more people that appear, the stronger will be the effect.   Please have a go.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fund-raising in the news</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-10-21T21:19:27+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ec329b605712f29904166d4507fe3cd4-99.php#unique-entry-id-99</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ec329b605712f29904166d4507fe3cd4-99.php#unique-entry-id-99</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As well as Rail Future UK&rsquo;s &pound;500 and Rail Future Scotland&rsquo;s &pound;1500, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council&rsquo;s &pound;500 grant was also mentioned in The Courier.   Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston said she was &lsquo;confident&rsquo; of achieving the target for the full study to be carried out.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Generous assistance from Rail Future UK et al</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-10-15T10:14:21+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b55b924041d76b1d61c2451614af8b01-98.php#unique-entry-id-98</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b55b924041d76b1d61c2451614af8b01-98.php#unique-entry-id-98</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The national body Rail Future has agreed to grant &pound;500 towards the Starlink feasibility study from its Fighting Fund for which Starlink is extremely grateful.   In addition the Dornoch Rail Action Group, although some considerable distance from Fife, has sent &pound;40.   It is clear from these and the other donations sent from well furth of Fife that the national significance of St Andrews as a travel destination is well appreciated.


Finally an individual supporter in Crail was moved to make a contribution after reading the letter from Mr McNaughton in last week&rsquo;s St Andrews Citizen so thank you for the free publicity, Mr McNaughton, and to all our donors for their help.   The money so far raised is now over &pound;3K so we are well on track.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>There&#x27;s always one&#x21;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-10-08T11:32:09+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/aaf281c0e369c23f7e00305ee58f2d9b-97.php#unique-entry-id-97</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/aaf281c0e369c23f7e00305ee58f2d9b-97.php#unique-entry-id-97</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have no quarrel with Mr McNaughton&rsquo;s history lesson from the 1960s, though he does not seem to appreciate that British Rail was trying its best to close every single branch line, no matter how well used, and of course in Scotland only North Berwick escaped.   But the implication that because passenger numbers were falling in the 1960s, when the town&rsquo;s population was something like 9500 and there were only 2000 students, the pattern would be repeated 50 years later is simply not borne out. ...  Indeed, every re-opening in Britain since 1995 (and even further back in Scotland) has been used by very many more passengers than predicted and, despite the oft-repeated &lsquo;St Andrews is different&rsquo; mantra, there is absolutely nothing to suggest that the Home of Golf would buck this trend.   I fear that Mr McNaughton&rsquo;s 25-year residence in Edinburgh has reduced his awareness of what is actually going on in his native town, despite his subscription to the Citizen.


Of course we have to wait until we see the results of the feasibility study but the signs are that, far from being uneconomic, a modern rail service would actually boost the economy, which one would have thought to be very necessary over the next few years.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Getting there&#x21;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-10-04T01:32:50+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/1f0b7ea911589c0c995bd18085e5804f-96.php#unique-entry-id-96</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/1f0b7ea911589c0c995bd18085e5804f-96.php#unique-entry-id-96</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We have had individual donations from Cupar, St Andrews, Kingsbarns, Grantown on Spey, Dumbarton, Bearsden and Harrogate.   It&rsquo;s great to see that people from further afield appreciate the great benefit that a railway to St Andrews would be.   Many, many thanks.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Donations rolling in</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-09-25T11:49:58+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f42e4e8f473a4e161dfcfc11fd3cfe9f-95.php#unique-entry-id-95</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f42e4e8f473a4e161dfcfc11fd3cfe9f-95.php#unique-entry-id-95</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(null)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Response to Leuchars connections</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-09-03T11:43:30+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/275c16d7dfddec285f66f6ae884756e5-94.php#unique-entry-id-94</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/275c16d7dfddec285f66f6ae884756e5-94.php#unique-entry-id-94</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The scenario described in Tony Waterston's letter last week, of buses at Leuchars Station zooming off in the direction of St Andrews before a trainful of passengers can reach them, will be all-too familiar to many readers.   They may be surprised to know that the mere insertion of bus times into the railway timetable, plus the provision of rail information on an electronic display sign and the ability to buy rail tickets at the bus-station was hailed by the Scottish Government as a 'virtual branch line' which would cut journey times, using only the existing bus timetables and with no discount for buying a combined rail/bus ticket.

The real problem with the buses which serve Leuchars is that, with the exception of the last one at night, the station is just an incidental stop along another service, in most cases between St Andrews and Dundee.   As Stagecoach representatives themselves have said, they are primarily catering for commuters and shoppers travelling to Dundee, so there is not the luggage space one might expect for a bus service which serves not just Leuchars but also Dundee railway stations; and, of course, they are competing with the railways. 

...Coming face-to-face with a bus immediately upon stepping out of the train, rather than having a long walk across a footbridge to bus-stop or car-park, would be extremely hard to resist for most passengers and just might have a chance of achieving a significant 'modal shift' from the private car which the 'virtual branch line' clearly has not.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bad connections at Leuchars highlighted</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-08-27T11:38:53+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cee2bbce8e0ac92fccef52a511504668-93.php#unique-entry-id-93</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cee2bbce8e0ac92fccef52a511504668-93.php#unique-entry-id-93</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The story told by Mr Waterston of Newcastle would be all-too familiar to many St Andreans.   It was bad enough having to watch the bus speed away, but there was then a wait of about half an hour for the next bus.   Mr Waterston observed that this is managed better in Switzerland.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More coverage</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-09-17T11:34:22+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/2a8648a766b6badeb0883affa49e9f0e-92.php#unique-entry-id-92</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/2a8648a766b6badeb0883affa49e9f0e-92.php#unique-entry-id-92</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Courier and St Andrews Citizen feature the campaign, the latter at particular length.   It is a pity that they omit a hyphen from the e-mail address.   True to form, there is also an &lsquo;anti&rsquo; letter, saying that because a short enhancement in Nottingham is very expensive, St Andrews cannot be done because it is longer and will therefore cost more.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Feasibility study in National Press</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-09-16T11:28:04+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3ac2680422af2aad98ae5ef1e4f750fd-91.php#unique-entry-id-91</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3ac2680422af2aad98ae5ef1e4f750fd-91.php#unique-entry-id-91</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The proposed feasibility study was featured in The Herald, the Daily Mail and the Sun.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Feasibility study - appeal launched</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-09-09T22:39:06+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/dc56afb6ea52ae867aed5c0222a65634-90.php#unique-entry-id-90</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/dc56afb6ea52ae867aed5c0222a65634-90.php#unique-entry-id-90</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This is a tremendous opportunity to finally get a feasibility study carried out into re-opening a line to St Andrews, including where it would run and what the demand would be.   It could make a great difference to St Andrews and the surrounding area as far as Cupar, providing an attractive alternative to the private car.


If you&rsquo;d like to help bring a St Andrews railway a step nearer, please send a donation to:


Starlink, Freepost, 5 Whitehill Terrace, Largo Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8RN.   Cheques should be made payable to &lsquo;Starlink&rsquo;. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Railway would get people out of cars</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-03-21T22:18:15+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a01c12da3c27fc4cda712e3c69f107f0-89.php#unique-entry-id-89</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a01c12da3c27fc4cda712e3c69f107f0-89.php#unique-entry-id-89</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With 455 returns, 73% of those non-residents who travelled by car for the entire journey to St Andrews said they would use a railway; including those who only made part of the journey by car increases the percentage to 75%.   This shows that a railway could make a significant difference to the traffic flows in and around St Andrews.   The questionnaire will continue to be given out at events in the town over the next few weeks.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Responses to Citizen article</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-02-26T00:28:18+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/69463251ec586c15dea0c28a475f6a0c-87.php#unique-entry-id-87</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/69463251ec586c15dea0c28a475f6a0c-87.php#unique-entry-id-87</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Bone from St Andrews says the Starlink campaign &lsquo;would have his whole-hearted and active support&rsquo; if it were pressing for the East Coast Main Line to be re-routed via St Andrews, but he sees &lsquo;no purpose whatsoever&rsquo; in a light railway shuttle between Leuchars and St Andrews. ...  Furthermore, he avers, passengers would &lsquo;have&rsquo; to change trains at Leuchars and there would be no room for sufficient car-parking  at St Andrews, whereas the car-park at Leuchars is large. 

...With all respect for the two correspondents, and it is good that they took the trouble to reply, they do seem to have read into the article much more in the way of detail than was actually there.   It is far too early for questions of alignment, rolling-stock and stations, or the type of service to be run to have been decided;  these matters are for transport experts to determine in a full feasibility study, which so far has not been carried out.   Neither can realistic claims be made about car-parking or lack thereof and one could point out that Leuchars car-park fills up very quickly, often forcing St Andreans to park outwith the proper spaces or overflow onto the grass verge. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Citizen takes up case</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-02-19T17:16:16+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/c8a22adb24efd0fa35098f74567c97a0-86.php#unique-entry-id-86</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/c8a22adb24efd0fa35098f74567c97a0-86.php#unique-entry-id-86</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The article included statements of support from Stephen Owen, General Manager of Rufflets Country House Hotel and Ken Sutherland of Rail Future Scotland, as well as a quote from the University Principal.


(More details to follow)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Community Council protests at omission</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-01-29T14:34:53+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/54bde920db195abf75c1fdd496c5e04a-85.php#unique-entry-id-85</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/54bde920db195abf75c1fdd496c5e04a-85.php#unique-entry-id-85</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In The Courier the community council points out that, even in the latest Fife Structure Plan, there was required a list of routes and land to be safeguarded from development prejudicial to existing or future transportation use.   Included was the &lsquo;St Andrews Public Transport Route&rsquo; but this has been left out completely from the local plan.


Community council char Dr Ian Goudie said, &lsquo;Recalling that such a route was shown on the corresponding map for the 2005 draft local plan, we deplore the negative approach of Fife Council on this matter. ...  The major potential benefit of a railhead in St Andrews is that such people are attracted back to public transport, thereby yielding reductions in carbon emissions over much longer journeys than the length of the rail link itself.&rsquo;


...&lsquo;The size of the town is to be increased by over 1000 houses by 2026, but no quantitative assessment has been made of the effect on the twon centre of the consequential increase in vehicular traffic,&rsquo; concluded Dr Goudie.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Railfuture Scotland supports rail campaign</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-01-19T14:16:07+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/77aa35ec8e60e00e393faafae0ef9b6a-84.php#unique-entry-id-84</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/77aa35ec8e60e00e393faafae0ef9b6a-84.php#unique-entry-id-84</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Courier reported that Railfuture backed the reintroduction of a railway to St Andrews, identifying the connection as &lsquo;hugely beneficial&rsquo;, and describes Fife Council&rsquo;s change of policy as all the more inexplicable because the Plan specifically identified the lack of a direct rail link into St Andrews as a notable &lsquo;missing link&rsquo; in the transport network.


Railfuture further describes the removal of any specific reference to a railway as &lsquo;curious&rsquo; and claims it weakens the council&rsquo;s reference to &lsquo;further developing St Andrews as a high quality tourist destination.&rsquo;   It also warns that opting for apparently cheaper systems, such as guided busways, can be a false economy.


Railfuture&rsquo;s contribution is extremely welcome in this debate.   It remains to be seen how Fife Council proposes to attract its visitors to this high quality destination without even a moderate quality public transport system.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Coverage of Local Plan submission</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2010-01-08T00:09:11+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f17851e4fc8ff0e8a7acd4f45b3eaa49-83.php#unique-entry-id-83</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f17851e4fc8ff0e8a7acd4f45b3eaa49-83.php#unique-entry-id-83</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Scotsman reported that campaigners were &lsquo;shocked&rsquo; at the omission, quoting the convenor, &lsquo;It is extremely disappointing to read that reinstating rail services has apparently been ruled out.   Amazingly, the construction of a new rail corridor is apparently considered as much of a ;significant negative environmental impact&rsquo; as is that of a road.&rsquo;


...Mention is made of: increased provision for cars increasing car use, rail being more likely to get motorists out of cars than buses, the higher than predicted use of every rail re-opening in the past 15 years and the comparative robustness of rail services in bad weather as opposed to road transport.   It also cites the Plan itself as admitting that &lsquo;the lack of a direct rail kink into St Andrews&rsquo; is a notable &lsquo;missing link&rsquo; and that &lsquo;the lack of a main rail link may encourage higher use of private transport means&rsquo;.


It is now likely that there will be a Public Enquiry into the Local Plan if the objections cannot be resolved. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews &#x26; East Fife Local Plan - Railfuture Scotland submission</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-12-23T11:18:52+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/36375b7d8fd993e8d69b096fd5058cef-82.php#unique-entry-id-82</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/36375b7d8fd993e8d69b096fd5058cef-82.php#unique-entry-id-82</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[and the rail network' in the new Fife Structure Plan, and this new St Andrews


...for restoration of a direct rail link into the St Andrews urban


...not be much different from that of a [heavy] rail route, as now as the proponents of the Cambridge-St Ives 'guided busway' are  now finding out.


...Waverley line from Edinburgh to Galashiels/Tweedbank) have revealed that failure to&nbsp;safeguard a rail corridor and subsequent need to remove/overcome adverse developments has needlessly pushed up the basic cost of reopening.&nbsp;


...We would therefore urge you ask you to apply the necessary foresight which will allow easy and cost-effective restoration of rail link into St Andrews.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews &#x26; East Fife Local Plan - submission from Starlink</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-12-24T11:15:34+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/946a93c6dcab99606196bb4e56fb9908-81.php#unique-entry-id-81</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/946a93c6dcab99606196bb4e56fb9908-81.php#unique-entry-id-81</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Amazingly, the construction of a new rail corridor is apparently considered as much of a &lsquo;significant negative environmental impact&rsquo; (P. 50) as is that of a road, especially when that factor does not appear to be a problem with the construction of either a St Andrews link road or a Cupar relief (i.e. bypass) road. 


...Building a Cupar relief road will doubtless reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions in Cupar town centre, but because of the extra journeys generated it will also funnel more traffic east along the A91, the busiest road in North East Fife, to the detriment of Dairsie, Guardbridge, and St Andrews itself. 

...If buses, something very different from what is now on offer will be required to persuade drivers to leave their cars behind: at the very least, a dedicated service between St Andrews and Leuchars Station, using fast airport-style buses with ample luggage space, free of charge for rail passengers, deliberately timed to meet trains and wait in the case of late-running.   To really be an attractive option for motorists, rather than the bus stopping beside the footbridge not that much nearer to the trains than the car-park, it should cross the tracks and stop on the platform right beside the train (i.e. as the limousines did for the CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) visit in 1997). 

...There is also the potential of through-running from Edinburgh (or Dundee) straight to St Andrews, which could reduce the journey time between the Capital of Scotland and the Home of Golf to an hour, a goal wholly consistent with the development strategy to &lsquo;further develop St Andrews as a high quality tourist destination&rsquo; (Annex 1 P.2).
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Local Plan exhibition - survey results and MSP signs up</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-12-11T10:53:02+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/580e512aa73c6471ae87ceb6ebae2949-80.php#unique-entry-id-80</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/580e512aa73c6471ae87ceb6ebae2949-80.php#unique-entry-id-80</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Both the Courier and St Andrews Citizen reported that of the 120 responses, 78 (65%) of which were from residents, 73 (94%) said they would use a railway if there were one, as did 37 (88%) of the 42 visitors.


We have seen the great successes of the re-openings at Bathgate, Larkhall, Alloa and Laurencekirk and strong

arguments have quite rightly been made in favour of restoring services to Leven, Kincardine, Grangemouth and Reston, Yet surely no-one would pretend that any of these worthy causes was as prestigious and obvious a candidate for rail reconnection as St Andrews, world-renowned tourist destination, university town, Home of Golf and economic generator.   The prospect of 1000 new houses being built and of the resultant additional travelling being done mainly by car means that the question must be addressed sooner rather than later.   Identifying and safeguarding land for a railway is essential and would be a good start.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Byre Theatre survey</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-11-06T12:40:20+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0ac5bab1d3cc6700ccd20e7ec0e702cc-79.php#unique-entry-id-79</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0ac5bab1d3cc6700ccd20e7ec0e702cc-79.php#unique-entry-id-79</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In the St Andrews Citizen Starlink campaigners claimed that the 92% of respondees who had travelled all or part of the way by car showed 'a definite willingness of car drivers to use a rail service, which would make a tremendous difference to traffic patterns in St Andrews and the surrounding area.']]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Byre audience - support for a railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-11-05T12:26:33+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e40b4a84fea6a5d4da5ae8bb3dfd329c-78.php#unique-entry-id-78</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/e40b4a84fea6a5d4da5ae8bb3dfd329c-78.php#unique-entry-id-78</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[During the performance of 'Murder on the Fife Coast Express' 44 questionnaires were completed and 86% of the respondees said they would use a St Andrews railway, including 92% of those non-residents who had used a car for part or all of the journey to St Andrews.


In the questionnaires so far, of those using a car to travel the entire way to the town, 70% at the Scottish Seniors Open, 66% at the Dunhill and 76% at the Byre said they would use a railway.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Guildford 2 St Andrews 0</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-10-30T12:15:23+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/4e266ca0c0adad3a92b8531684b0fda3-77.php#unique-entry-id-77</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/4e266ca0c0adad3a92b8531684b0fda3-77.php#unique-entry-id-77</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A Labour party member had suggested that Fife Council should give St Andrews some free parking days, as had happened in Guildford, because of the cut in VAT.   The Starlink convenor described the comparison as 'chalk and cheese', and listed various comparisons between the towns, including population, history and transport infrastructure.   What neither she nor the Labour member realised was that on-street parking, the prevalent form in St Andrews,  is not subject to VAT!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>SNP MSP says &#x27;Build a railway to St Andrews&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-10-29T21:36:01+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/7d274d25a840f7dcfe56c06a56c3b54d-76.php#unique-entry-id-76</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/7d274d25a840f7dcfe56c06a56c3b54d-76.php#unique-entry-id-76</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Chris Harvie MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife was speaking in a debate on the desirability of a new secondary school in the DD6 area of North East Fife.   Conceding that one large school in St Andrews was better, Mr Harvie regretted that in this country, unlike mainland Europe, there was no joined-up thinking between planning for education provision and providing good public transport.   The Dundee-St Andrews corridor, he said, should be served by rail rather than just buses and the station should be beside the school.


Chris Harvie is a respected expert on public transport so, although a stopping service from Dundee has not hitherto been envisaged, nevertheless his support in principle for rail services to St Andrews is most welcome.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The &#x27;Starlink Express&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-10-27T00:41:48+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a7edf0947671e78e0b2c677b9d063c54-75.php#unique-entry-id-75</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a7edf0947671e78e0b2c677b9d063c54-75.php#unique-entry-id-75</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The campaign was invited to set up a stall in the foyer prior to the performance of Jimmy Macgregor's Murder on the East Fife Express.   This proved a most welcome opportunity to inform theatre-goers about the campaign and distribute questionnaires.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink supports Newburgh re-opening</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-10-23T00:38:07+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cd6650d7170232d37434058a27c18d56-74.php#unique-entry-id-74</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cd6650d7170232d37434058a27c18d56-74.php#unique-entry-id-74</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Jane Ann Liston warned, however, that, contrary to a recent assertion,  a passing loop would be required, as Edinburgh-Inverness express trains as well as the Edinburgh-Perth local services, use the stretch of single-track from Ladybank.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Road and rail usage and investment</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-10-22T00:33:25+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/4fe98091aa49bc72308757a6014ccd78-73.php#unique-entry-id-73</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/4fe98091aa49bc72308757a6014ccd78-73.php#unique-entry-id-73</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In a letter to The Herald Ms Liston pointed out that large parts of Scotland are bereft of railway lines and cited St Andrews as an example of a major tourist destination which is accessible only by road.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Link Leven &#x26; St Andrews projects</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-10-21T00:20:17+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/025ca79e6d94158b19627adca0c934a8-72.php#unique-entry-id-72</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/025ca79e6d94158b19627adca0c934a8-72.php#unique-entry-id-72</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Although both branches closed in the same year the cases are exact opposites.   Leven is not a wealthy area and needs the train so that residents can travel out to employment.   St Andrews is comparatively affluent but needs the train to bring  people in, particularly tourists and students.   And Leven has the great advantage of most of its track being intact, whereas the St Andrews line was ripped up in a 'scorched earth' extercise a mere 6 months after closure.   It makes sense, therefore, to combine the two into one large project to speed up both re-openings, using the name of St Andrews to raise the profile of Leven.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Survey results replicated at Dunhill</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-10-15T23:48:51+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9c271c427cf122dd0f950d2dad3a1033-71.php#unique-entry-id-71</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9c271c427cf122dd0f950d2dad3a1033-71.php#unique-entry-id-71</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Courier reported that, out of 96 respondents, 78% of those who were not residents of St Andrews had driven to the town and the 66% of those who expressed a willingness to use a train was a similar percentage to the 70% from the Scottish Seniors at Fairmont in August.


Although the samples are fairly small (174 at the Scottish Seniors and 96 at the Dunhill) both show the same pattern of a sizeable majority of car-users willing to switch to rail.    It is intended that a similar exercise but with a larger sample will be undertaken at future events in St Andrews, and the Open Championship in July is at the top of the list.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Student paper features Starlink</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-10-01T11:35:56+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/aefb423b510505dec2560c92bf353e7d-70.php#unique-entry-id-70</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/aefb423b510505dec2560c92bf353e7d-70.php#unique-entry-id-70</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Starlink Convenor Jane Ann Liston observed that St Andrews was one of the few university towns in Britain that does not have a railway line.   Due to the town's compact nature most students do not need a car during their stay but getting themselves and all their requirements to St Andrews in the first place is a different matter.   A railway would be the most efficient and environmentally-friendly way to bring in the students, and also the large number of tourists, upon both of which the town depends for its prosperity.


And among the supporters of the campaign is Principal Louise Richardson, who has said that she 'would love to see a train service to St Andrews.']]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Scottish Senior Open survey &#x27;chuffs campaigners&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-09-18T11:23:16+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5bbe8bbbdcdaf5490b4a859233b90607-69.php#unique-entry-id-69</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5bbe8bbbdcdaf5490b4a859233b90607-69.php#unique-entry-id-69</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The St Andrews Citizen reported that the survey results indicated 'overwhelming support' for a railway from the 174 people questioned at the Scottish Seniors Open championship at Fairmont, near St Andrews, last month.   The potential for achieving modal shift from cars was demonstrated by 70% of the 96% of non-residents who drove to St Andrews claiming they would use a railway if there were one.


Convenor Jane Ann Liston. however, urged supporters to participate in the forthcoming St Andrews & East Fife Local Plan consultation, if they want to ensure that strategic pieces of land likely to form part of a new route are identified and safeguarded until the line can be constructed.


It is hoped that a similar exercise can be carried out at future events which attract large numbers to St Andrews - watch this space.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Survey shows clear support for rail campaign</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-09-03T00:02:44+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/bbe0de245e3c3dd15aef6b0ad6060533-68.php#unique-entry-id-68</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/bbe0de245e3c3dd15aef6b0ad6060533-68.php#unique-entry-id-68</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In The Courier it was reported that, out of the 174 people questioned, 71% said they would use a railway including 70% of the non-residents. 

...Convenor Jane Ann Liston said that members of the public had been interested in the campaign's exhibition in the tented village which included a statement of the campaign's aims, supportive quotes from celebrities and other supporters, and photographs of the former station. ...  She added, 'Supporters of the campaign might like to contact Fife Council during the forthcoming St Andrews & East Fife Local Plan consultation, demanding that strategic areas of land which are likely to form part of any new route, for example beside the North Haugh, be safeguarded from any future development.'


Not only would a railway to St Andrews reduce the ever-rising levels of traffic to and from the town, it would also cut the increasing amount of through-traffic 10 miles away in Cupar. 

...Even assuming only half of it is St Andrews originated/bound, if the transfer rate of 40% from car to train found in a German corridor study were to be replicated, that would remove 10% of cars in Cupar, which is a significant percentage.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink congratulates Alloa</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-08-21T23:03:09+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/afe2dc4fd88c24347d34476d38534439-67.php#unique-entry-id-67</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/afe2dc4fd88c24347d34476d38534439-67.php#unique-entry-id-67</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In the Courier Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston noted that until a year ago Alloa didn&rsquo;t even have a railway station but that, unsurprisingly, their service was being used by many more passengers than predicted.   As to St Andrews, not only would a railway reduce the traffic in the town but it would also cut through-traffic in Cupar.   The importance of safeguarding land for a route in the forthcoming plans was also stressed.


Alloa is a historic burgh as is St Andrews, but it is not nearly as much as a tourist destination as the latter. ...  So if Alloa can sustain a rail service, with passenger numbers well in advance of what was predicted, then so can St Andrews.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Visit Starlink at golf tournament</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-08-18T22:14:32+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ea89cd808fe9becc6a2b21b6f9e2052c-66.php#unique-entry-id-66</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ea89cd808fe9becc6a2b21b6f9e2052c-66.php#unique-entry-id-66</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Thanks to St Andrews World Class and the Fairmont Hotel the campaign will be in the exhibition space at the Scottish Senior Open championship at the Torrance course this weekend (21-23 August).   This is a great opportunity to raise our profile amongst a group of people who could certainly benefit from a railway into the town.   If you&rsquo;re planning to attend the championship do come along, say hallo and fill in one of our latest mini-questionnaires (only three questions maximum).]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Rail service &#x27;more than adequate&#x2c;&#x27; claims retired statistician</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-08-08T22:29:43+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a50aeaea70fd7af74dbcc78c9494516c-65.php#unique-entry-id-65</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a50aeaea70fd7af74dbcc78c9494516c-65.php#unique-entry-id-65</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[John Newton, who opposes a railway to St Andrews, described the service as &lsquo;perfectly adeqaute&rsquo;, contradicting claims that the rolling-stock was old and that trains were overcrowded.


It&rsquo;s good to know that the present arrangement suits Mr Newton&rsquo;s needs.   However, judging by the increasing number of cars coming into St Andrews, I fear that he is in a minority.   And, judging by the large proportion of rail passengers at Leuchars who walk smartly past the bus-stop to the car-park, it would appear that most of them do not think that the bus service is good enough either.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Tory MSP and St Andrews resident cites St Andrews transport shortcomings</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-08-07T21:49:27+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5ae034fe79a865572f7e632270930452-64.php#unique-entry-id-64</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5ae034fe79a865572f7e632270930452-64.php#unique-entry-id-64</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In The Courier Mr Brocklebank draws attention to St Andrews&rsquo; rare status as a university town without a railway station and describes Leuchars, the nearest station to St Andrews, as &lsquo;woefully badly served when it comes to service and reliability.&rsquo;   He goes on to say that for the university, RAF Leuchars and commuters to Edinburgh, rail should be the first choice but it is inadequate.   Furthermore the timetables of the trains and buses seem to be constructed with the convenience of the operators rather than the passengers in mind.


In the same paper Mr Middleton cites the campaign to have the town reconnected to the rail network and notes that, although Fife Council&rsquo;s structure and transport plans agree the desirability of such a link, apart from a proposal to safeguard a link between Leuchars and St Andrews, no process to achieve it is specified. ...  &lsquo;There is a lack of lateral thinking, &lsquo;concludes Mr Middleton, in looking for innovative solutions to reduce dependence on the internal combustion engine, still the only way for 7000 students, a 14000 population and thousands of golfers and holidaymakers to travel to St Andrews.&rsquo;  ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews not yet connected&#x2c; says Scotsman booklet</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-06-13T00:41:50+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/522f0b097c088ff428d66f7094684e35-63.php#unique-entry-id-63</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/522f0b097c088ff428d66f7094684e35-63.php#unique-entry-id-63</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The booklet states &lsquo;However St Andrews still does not have a railway station, with the nearest one being at Leuchars, some six miles away.&rsquo;   No mention of the &lsquo;virtual branch line&rsquo;; perhaps they didn&rsquo;t notice it!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Retired statistician defends expanded car-park proposals</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-05-28T00:14:50+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d761cb1c39716b7cfd1136735a38abf2-62.php#unique-entry-id-62</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d761cb1c39716b7cfd1136735a38abf2-62.php#unique-entry-id-62</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[John Newton, who has previously criticised the campaign as is his right, saying that there was no support for resinstating the railway, and it would add 21 more minutes to a journey from Edinburgh to Dundee or Aberdeen and anyway a line would take a long time to build and solutions were needed now. 

...It could also be described as misleading and is likely to increase the number of unfortunate souls arriving for the first time at &lsquo;Leuchars for St Andrews&rsquo; and looking around for the golf courses, according to rail staff at Leuchars. ...  It is true that an option might be for trains to branch off from Cupar to St Andrews, go back to Leuchars and thence to Dundee and Aberdeen but it is by no means certain that this would happen, nor that every train would follow this pattern. ...  In any case, even if they did decide to run all trains that way, in effect diverting the East Coast Main Line, it is likely that improved rolling-stock would significantly reduce that time.   It is disingenuous to speculate about such minute details of a St Andrews service while the principle is still under discussion and in any case when the time comes that will be a job for transport experts and engineers, not amateurs, not even, with all due respect, retired statisticians.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink attacks SESTRAN parking plan</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-05-26T00:01:07+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ea15be66e6b47f9189aebad3bb44d48b-61.php#unique-entry-id-61</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ea15be66e6b47f9189aebad3bb44d48b-61.php#unique-entry-id-61</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The fear was, as providing more space for cars increases car use, more rail passengers would drive to Leuchars rather than taking the bus, not just from St Andrews but from further afield, such as Dundee. ...  The convenor said, &lsquo;It doesn&rsquo;t say very much for this much-vaunted strategy and sends very mixed messages to passengers if 100 extra car-parking spaces are to be provided at Leuchars.   A coherent transport strategy for St Andrews is needed rather than this tinkering at the edges.   It is high time some serious work into making the business and environmental case for a new St Andrews railway was carried out.   In my view the increased provision of car-parking spaces at Leuchars is a blunt instrument being applied to something that instead requires some fine tuning.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews marooned by myopic vandalism</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-04-23T23:53:47+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/7987269caa24ab90d4f130ccd64e5b32-60.php#unique-entry-id-60</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/7987269caa24ab90d4f130ccd64e5b32-60.php#unique-entry-id-60</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The letter continues &lsquo;A prime example is St Andrews, a most important tourist destination, left marooned 6 miles from the East Coast Main Line by BR's indiscriminate cull of branch lines.   Fobbing off the only Scottish university town bereft of a station with renaming the existing bus service a 'virtual branch line' is an insult which will do very little if anything to stem the ever-increasing onslaught of car-borne visitors, commuters and students which pours into the town.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Set site aside for line&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-04-10T23:47:21+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/447e9c7100280b590242b9778ab68889-59.php#unique-entry-id-59</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/447e9c7100280b590242b9778ab68889-59.php#unique-entry-id-59</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s a good point and were the new line to go through Guardbridge using the paper mill site would make sense, although getting across the A919 would still have to be addressed.   It is likely, though, that a new route would go nowhere near the village.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Guardbridge resident disagrees</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-03-06T23:34:48+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/871dc31ed0db630b0c6954bf2d8f8028-58.php#unique-entry-id-58</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/871dc31ed0db630b0c6954bf2d8f8028-58.php#unique-entry-id-58</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The correspondent claims that a railway would bring &lsquo;noise and visual pollution&rsquo; to the village. ...  The most telling phrase is that suggestions for the regeneration of Guardbridge should be &rsquo;for the good of local people not for the convenience of St Andrews&rsquo;.   No acknowledgment that perhaps Guardbridge depends to an extent upon the proximity of St Andrews for its livelihood!   Methinks the correspondent does not understand the meaning of the term &lsquo;white elephant&rsquo;, which is normally understood to be a facility which is not worth the large amount needed to maintain it.   Surely the worthy Guardbridgean is not suggesting that no-one would use a rail service to St Andrews, or that such a service would not make a significant difference to the traffic through the village?]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Use paper mill site for railway&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-02-27T23:26:14+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/7f84ecac7ddc7922e655b5bc39a101c7-57.php#unique-entry-id-57</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/7f84ecac7ddc7922e655b5bc39a101c7-57.php#unique-entry-id-57</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The correspondent notes that the paper mill site is large and that a new route will be required due to the old one having been built upon.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink responds to Government consultation</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-02-02T16:22:17+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b6cfa9b789ee97bd3e323804f959ede5-56.php#unique-entry-id-56</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b6cfa9b789ee97bd3e323804f959ede5-56.php#unique-entry-id-56</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The fear is that the 'safeguarding' may not be strong enough to protect the land required for the best route for a rail connection from the main line into St Andrews from development, such as for a 'link road', thus making reinstatement of the railway more difficult.   Since the traffic growth into St Andrews has continued to rise, I believe by 2.5% per annum, since the last Structure Plan was published it is hard to see why 'railway line and station' has been watered down to 'public transport route', especially as the actual route is not specified in the plan.


...However those developments and the requirements of 21st-century travellers, as opposed to those of the 1960s, may well mean that the best route for a new service is quite different from the old one, and indeed such a new route was been identified by a study in 1999 (Fife and South Tayside Rail Study - Scott Wilson). 

...Not only would a railway to St Andrews reduce the increase in traffic to and from St Andrews, it would also cut the amount of through-traffic in Cupar and without the increased emissions that a road bypass would bring.   That is why the wording of the previous Fife Structure Plan must be reinstated to safeguard 'land for the St Andrews railway line and station'.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Preservation Trust calls for &#x27;light railway&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-02-06T16:13:27+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3ee9eaa523d70b8efbbe6a915347af30-55.php#unique-entry-id-55</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3ee9eaa523d70b8efbbe6a915347af30-55.php#unique-entry-id-55</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Trust&rsquo;s Planning Convener, David Middleton, said, &lsquo;A light railway would help to connect Leuchars and St Andrews in a way which would benefit both.   Government cash is available for demonstration green transport initiatives.&rsquo;


These sentiments from the St Andrews Preservation Trust are most welcome.   Let us hope that the Scottish Government heed them.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Bring back the railway line&#x2c;&#x27; says resident</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-01-23T16:06:00+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d5271a03ab40401f85564620aec067b5-54.php#unique-entry-id-54</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/d5271a03ab40401f85564620aec067b5-54.php#unique-entry-id-54</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[ Ms Gillespie lists what is needed to improve St Andrews. including resurfacing Market Street and the West Sands Road, collecting commercial refuse outwith the busy mid-morning period, and better collection of litter.   Ms Gillespie adds to her list, &lsquo;Permanent park and ride facilities.   Better still, bring back the railway line.&rsquo;


Amen to that.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Forty-year wait should signal railway return</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-01-12T15:56:40+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b9a979997add9c5d5eee172b3d86125b-53.php#unique-entry-id-53</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b9a979997add9c5d5eee172b3d86125b-53.php#unique-entry-id-53</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The current situation, where passengers are &lsquo;left waiting in the cold at Leuchars for a bus&rsquo; , despite the so-called virtual branch line, is an insult to St Andrews.   Forty years in the wilderness for such a major visitor destination and income-generator is long enough.   If a rail connection is good enough for Bathgate, Alloa and Laurencekirk it is long overdue for St Andrews.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Virtual Branch Line virtually useless</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-01-09T23:57:56+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/07d622050fc7e29aca6b35d79b4e1192-52.php#unique-entry-id-52</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/07d622050fc7e29aca6b35d79b4e1192-52.php#unique-entry-id-52</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Now of course this should have been provided from the start and it is a good thing that it finally is, but that in no way comes near an actual rail service.   The combined rail and bus ticket is doubtless convenient for some, but there is no financial advantage in purchasing it. ...  The National Rail website for Leuchars now shows the bus-times to SANWBUS, which those with a cryptic mind might work out means St Andrews Bus Station, but it does not give the arrival time (unlike the paper rail timetable which gives the arrival time but omits the departure) nor does it give the service number of the buses which, bizarrely, are described as being operated by First Scotrail. ...  So the buses, depending upon their routes, are taking the same time to get to St Andrews, and the trains are running at the same speed as previously, yet the Scottish Government claims this will improve journey times!   This either displays ignorance of the actual situation - any passenger will confirm that the place where time could be saved is at Leuchars itself, between getting off a bus and on to a train or vice-versa - or blatant dishonesty, and a hope that by repeating the lie often enough, people will believe it.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Forty Years After</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><category>None</category><dc:date>2009-01-04T23:09:00+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cf54d03be06bc03c6a3ed0b6a8f3c106-51.php#unique-entry-id-51</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cf54d03be06bc03c6a3ed0b6a8f3c106-51.php#unique-entry-id-51</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Since 4th January 1969 when the rail connection was severed by British Rail&rsquo;s cull of branch lines, St Andrews has been at a disadvantage when it comes to being easily accessed by tourists, students and commuters. ...  The result of this dependency upon the motor-car can be easily seen in the main streets, which is more than can be said for the historic architecture, all too often obscured by boots and bonnets. ...  You may well not have realised that this has come into effect but it has, in the shape of telling rail passengers when the buses run to St Andrews and offering them the chance to purchase a combined rail and bus ticket, although this is no cheaper than buying the tickets separately as before.   The Scottish Government assures us that this will cut journey times, which shows just how unacquainted they are with the realities of the situation; any traveller could tell them that the buses and trains are already going as fast as they can and the only possibility for cutting journey times is to shorten the period between bus and train at Leuchars, yet no extra buses are being provided, the buses are not a dedicated connecting service and neither is the timetable being amended to fit in better. ...  Forty years in the wilderness for such a major visitor destination and income generator is long enough; if a rail connection is good enough for Bathgate, Alloa and Laurencekirk it is long overdue for St Andrews.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x27;Doesn&#x27;t St Andrews deserve world-class transportation?&#x27; asks American</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-09-12T11:34:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9e800760035aa7cb6ba88a407f6feb54-50.php#unique-entry-id-50</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9e800760035aa7cb6ba88a407f6feb54-50.php#unique-entry-id-50</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[See previous entry.   Mr Rosenberg asks 'Doesn't St Andrews deserve world class transportation?'   One would have thought the answer was obvious.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>American calls for railway to &#x27;Jewel of Scotland&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-09-10T12:00:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6915e24e484f978b357d17c939d23cde-46.php#unique-entry-id-46</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6915e24e484f978b357d17c939d23cde-46.php#unique-entry-id-46</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[When Mr K.   Rosenberg of Portland retires  to Scotland, and St Andrews is high on his list of preferred retirement locations, he will not have a car.   However he does not relish co-ordinating bus and train times at Leuchars, particularly in the cold rain and chilly east winds of winter.   Mr Rosenberg is surprised that St Andrews, which he calls the 'Jewel of Scotland', lacks a rail link, despite its world-wide renown, especially being a tourist centre, and calls for Fife Council and the Government to support and fund  this 'vital link'.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Economist&#x27;s verdict on St Andrews line and Starlink&#x27;s reaction to &#x27;virtual railway&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-07-18T23:20:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6f075868b98fa547797381cc6e15ed86-45.php#unique-entry-id-45</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6f075868b98fa547797381cc6e15ed86-45.php#unique-entry-id-45</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Mr McAlister bases his opinion upon the fact that when the line was built in the nineteenth century there was no alternative to the railway other than the horse and cart, whereas now there are cars and buses. ...  He quite rightly points out that account has to be taken of 'social costs such as pollution and congestion caused by cars and buses which keeping the line open could have avoided'. 

...The evidence suggests that there would indeed be such a transfer, judging by other rail re-openings; surely no-one is suggesting that the Alloa passengers are all new travellers? 

...They do not seem to realise that the main delay in a bus & rail trip to/from St Andrews is the time at Leuchars between the arrival of one transport mode and the departure of the other; only by reducing that gap will journey times be improved.   In fact, as bus passengers currently buy their tickets on boarding the bus, unless the joint ticket is also available upon boarding then having to go to St Andrews Bus Station to buy it might well lengthen the total journey time!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Yet another taxi-driver&#x27;s outburst</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-07-11T22:11:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a8c4682a065ac7eaebb8fb2a2d8e446d-44.php#unique-entry-id-44</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a8c4682a065ac7eaebb8fb2a2d8e446d-44.php#unique-entry-id-44</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In the St Andrews Citizen Stuart Winton expresses his extreme scepticism about the idea of a railway to St Andrews, doubting that it would make a difference to traffic in Cupar and St Andrews or that car-drivers would switch to rail. ...  Like Ms Batchelor's letter last week and Mr Beech's the week before I will not be dignifying it with a response.   Mr Winton has sent me a long e-mail about the intricacies of the taxi-business (thankfully, he was considerate enough not to inflict it upon the readers of the Citizen) which is no doubt very interesting but really quite irrelevant to the Starlink campaign.   He would do better to send his complaints about taxi-licensing to Fife Council, who could do something about them, rather than to me.   The local taxi service has of course evolved over the years to fit the existing market, that is, without a railway to St Andrews. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Taxi Association says &#x27;no room for car-parking&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-07-04T22:13:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0c02b57091952b69832178f87968ab94-43.php#unique-entry-id-43</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0c02b57091952b69832178f87968ab94-43.php#unique-entry-id-43</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Jane Batchelor insisted that there would be no room for car-parking at a St Andrews station because the building would occupy the whole site.   Strange how taxi-drivers are experts in designing railway stations, especially when the precise site has not even been identified!   The standard of Ms Batchelor's arguments can be measured by her assertion that Jane Ann Liston's view is 'blinkered by the fact that a rail link would suit her travelling needs'.   Is the chair of the taxi association really suggesting that the campaign would be more credible if its supporters had no intention of ever using a St Andrews railway?]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Former taxi/bus driver again naysaying but support from Dunino lady&#x2c; as well as a rebuttal of East Fife Taxi Association </title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-27T21:52:36+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0a3a8f638943b9315434f00bd3788e74-42.php#unique-entry-id-42</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0a3a8f638943b9315434f00bd3788e74-42.php#unique-entry-id-42</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Furthermore, he claims there would be no room for any car-parking but as far as I know no-one has produced a design for the station so it is not clear how he can be so certain of this.


...For a start, the Starlink campaign has never suggested that a new station should have no car-parking, or be accessible only by walking or cycling, and I know of no-one else who has.

...However the townsfolk also fed up of being swamped by cars, and in addition I would guess that the inhabitants of Cupar, Dairsie and even Guardbridge are also sick of an increased stream of St Andrews-bound cars trundling through their settlements every time somebody somewhere has a holiday or even just when it's a nice day. 

...However, with the increasing numbers of people who visit the town it is clear that there would still be plenty of work for taxis both at Leuchars and St Andrews, and a series of short runs of a mile or so have to be more cost-effective than sitting for up to five hours at Leuchars on the off-chance of a fare and perhaps having to run back 6 miles to town empty at the end of it.

There can be little doubt that a railway would be good for St Andrews and the surrounding area, and it is clear from the messages of support that the Starlink campaign continues to receive that an increasing number of people appreciate this.']]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Another blast from the taxi industry</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-20T19:55:40+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/8915700f4710abf5c0bcdc6472507d5e-41.php#unique-entry-id-41</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/8915700f4710abf5c0bcdc6472507d5e-41.php#unique-entry-id-41</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The effect of the increasing number of cars, including all the ones Ms Batchelor insists that people always use rather than any public transport at holiday weekends, is apparently of no consequence.   She also claims that Starlink is proposing a station without extra car-parking and so would only be accessible on foot or by bicycle; I have no idea whence that idea has come.


...Would that be the one from nearly 10 years ago which only looked at passengers already using Leuchars rather than finding potential new ones, and which even Fife Council agreed was flawed and was not by any means the last word on the subject? 

...The point is that for whatever reason St Andreans, and people visiting or working in the town, are in the main not taking the bus so the existing services are clearly not sufficient.


I'm afraid this looks like another blinkered view from the taxi business, not realising that their business would probably be boosted by a railway rather than harmed.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Case for railway line restated</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-19T19:49:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/15645070ee210c5d321325c1bdf5051b-40.php#unique-entry-id-40</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/15645070ee210c5d321325c1bdf5051b-40.php#unique-entry-id-40</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On the one hand he claims that a train would be little more than a 'glorified bus' and would attract few passengers, yet on the other hand he appears to be concerned that a railway attract so many people that it would affect his business.   This concern is understandable but it would be perverse to deny a major generator of income for the Scottish economy efficient, fast and environmental public transport on the grounds that it would take business from taxis.   The truth is that so many people travel in and out of St Andrews - tourists, students, commuters and golfers - that there would still be plenty of work for taxi-drivers.   I am grateful to Mr Winton for confirming what I have gathered from talking to other taxi-drivers and from my own observations, namely that taxi-drivers do indeed have to sit for hours at Leuchars awaiting a fare and frequently have to go back to St Andrews empty. 

...If visitors are deterred by high fuel prices, rather than take buses, which Mr Winton has rightly observed drivers are reluctant to do, it is likely that they will eschew St Andrews for more accessible places; there are, after all, other top golf courses which do have railway stations. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Taxi driver blasts Starlink campaign</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-18T11:46:18+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5d557efcea3016ba956642569037a682-39.php#unique-entry-id-39</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5d557efcea3016ba956642569037a682-39.php#unique-entry-id-39</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Stuart Winton claims a railway would be just a 'glorified bus service' and says that taxis can work out cheaper and are more seamless than buses, also that the buses carry only a handful of passengers.   In which case, why does the prospect of a railway line concern him so much?   He then confirms that he can sometimes wait hours at Leuchars for a fare, adding that if drivers get a hire from the station within an hour 'they're doing well'.   Which rather confirms my theory that taxi drivers would do better ferrying rail passengers little more than a mile from a St Andrews station to and from their homes in the town rather than doing a 6-mile run out to Leuchars and waiting up to 5 hours for another.


I'm afraid it would be perverse to keep St Andrews disconnected from the rail network for the convenience of taxi drivers; that really would be a case of the tail wagging the dog.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Support for St Andrews and rail renaissance</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-17T11:38:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f821bd63253a8320969dfac13e6ea24d-38.php#unique-entry-id-38</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f821bd63253a8320969dfac13e6ea24d-38.php#unique-entry-id-38</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(null)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Pitlochry man says buses are enough</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-14T21:42:21+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/40d0dc54c0864230875bdd2dbd2e4688-37.php#unique-entry-id-37</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/40d0dc54c0864230875bdd2dbd2e4688-37.php#unique-entry-id-37</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Mr Lawrie claims that many people choose buses rather than trains because they are far cheaper and the that general public should not be expected to pay for new railway services because few ever use trains.   He seems oblivious to the fact that actually drivers are much more likely to take a train than a bus.   If buses were satisfactory then St Andrews would not have 20% more of its visitors arriving by car than the average Scottish town.   In fact even the Megabus service between St Andrews and Edinburgh was discontinued due to lack of use which hardly suggests hordes of passengers wanting to take a 56 mile journey taking the best part of 2 hours in a bus.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Money for railway cannot be justified&#x2c; claims St Andrean</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-13T14:34:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/1b407a411b1d6e998fb987d482cbcfde-36.php#unique-entry-id-36</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/1b407a411b1d6e998fb987d482cbcfde-36.php#unique-entry-id-36</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Ken Reid cites the state of the roads in the housing schemes and in particular an overgrown bus-shelter and a damaged pavement as precluding the construction of a railway which would cost an 'obscene' amount of money.   He does not, however, appear to equate the state of the roads with heavy car usage due to the town's only being accessible by road.  He also appears to be a taxi aficionado, claiming that because the buses 'rarely' meet the trains at Leuchars people opt for a taxi to 'guarantee' their prompt arrival in St Andrews.   So now we have taxi infallibility, apparently!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sound case for a rail link to St Andrews</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-12T19:16:47+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5bc7bacc5af69b93db80caa5dc639ce0-35.php#unique-entry-id-35</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5bc7bacc5af69b93db80caa5dc639ce0-35.php#unique-entry-id-35</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Mr Marshall pointed out that saying St Andrews was well enough served because of Leuchars could equally well have been said about Alloa with respect to Stirling.   The Alloa trains could be extended to Culross and Dunfermline and hence to St Andrews and there could also be through services between St Andrews and Edinburgh.   He also remarked that even the relatively well-off, including the many tourists who visit St Andrews, were entitled to access sustainable transport and were more likely to change their behaviour if offered an alternative to the car.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Pitlochry man claims St Andrews does not need a railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-10T19:02:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/07ccf8a288c327cae6b6e48f6fcd71f1-34.php#unique-entry-id-34</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/07ccf8a288c327cae6b6e48f6fcd71f1-34.php#unique-entry-id-34</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Kevin Lawrie claimed that there was no comparison between Alloa and St Andrews and in fact the latter was better served by trains than most places because of the number and frequency of trains stopping at Leuchars.   He further asserted that public money could be better spent than on a service which, he claimed, would be mainly used by a relatively well-off minority.


That is, of course, debatable.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Lack of St Andrews railway &#x27;an anomaly&#x27;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-06T18:40:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3a202abc87896d0b73589fe66eba20f1-33.php#unique-entry-id-33</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3a202abc87896d0b73589fe66eba20f1-33.php#unique-entry-id-33</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Ms Liston pointed out that private motoring had greatly increased since the 1960s, defended the response to the recent questionnaire and observed that if buses were the answer to transporting rail passengers between Leuchars and St Andrews then they would be full and Leuchars car-park would be almost empty.   She also questioned the effectiveness of taxis sitting waiting for hours at Leuchars and perhaps having to return to St Andrews empty and claimed that traffic tail-backs at Easter and May had been increasing for several years.   She welcomed Alloa's new train service,  looked forward to Laurencekirk's  re-opening and supported the restoration of Leven's line but noted that none of those places attracted the numbers of visitors that St Andrews did nor were they as well known, hence the growing anomaly of St Andrews remaining disconnected.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>St Andrews needs rail link</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-03T12:27:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ffd27e09f32a38c3b72faf20ee1894ab-32.php#unique-entry-id-32</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ffd27e09f32a38c3b72faf20ee1894ab-32.php#unique-entry-id-32</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Lawrence Marshall of Edinburgh pointed out that a link to Cupar would be more appropriate than the previous alignment due to most journeys going to and from the south rather than across the Tay.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Jewel&#x27;s missing link</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-02T01:58:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/7f9ad1229093653c7b528e46c5ef8366-31.php#unique-entry-id-31</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/7f9ad1229093653c7b528e46c5ef8366-31.php#unique-entry-id-31</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Lawrence Marshall of Edinburgh called St Andrews 'one of the real jewels in the Scottish tourist crown'  which deserved nothing less than a south-facing rail link and hoped Fife Council and the Scottish Government would bring it about.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>National newspaper calls for better connection to St Andrews</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-06-01T17:25:10+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/65244f1fbfffced8720aebf2ad13dc4d-30.php#unique-entry-id-30</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/65244f1fbfffced8720aebf2ad13dc4d-30.php#unique-entry-id-30</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The editorial describes internal public transport links as 'increasingly frustrating for business and for commuters' as well as bad for the environment and asks why everything seems to be concentrated on the Central Belt.


'It is, frankly, a disgrace that every major town is not linked by an efficient rail network ... towns such as Melrose in the east, Lockerbie in the west and St Andrews in the north should all be easy commutes away.'


Quite.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More radio coverage</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-13T13:00:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/931c18eceb8b8d3229c09e7dbfc237c8-29.php#unique-entry-id-29</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/931c18eceb8b8d3229c09e7dbfc237c8-29.php#unique-entry-id-29</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Radio Tay interviewed Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston on its news programme.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink on TV and radio</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-12T12:58:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3d68b5d83460fb49a5ef3b7562858fca-28.php#unique-entry-id-28</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/3d68b5d83460fb49a5ef3b7562858fca-28.php#unique-entry-id-28</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[BBC Scotland featured the St Andrews rail campaign on Reporting Scotland and also on Radio Scotland's Morning Extra.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Former taxi-driver/bus driver states his views and Starlink reiterates case</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-23T12:40:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f8a08aab842b7e8b9b712ab6631f4635-27.php#unique-entry-id-27</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f8a08aab842b7e8b9b712ab6631f4635-27.php#unique-entry-id-27</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[He questions the claim that trains are more comfortable than buses, or that bus fares between St Andrews and Leuchars are perceived as expensive compared with the rail fares, yet these are not the views of the Starlink campaign but of respondents to the questionnaire.


Mr Beech took issue with Jane Ann Liston's comments on Reporting Scotland about the traffic tailback on Easter Monday, blaming it instead upon roadworks and temporary traffic lights. 

...'The Starlink (St Andrews Rail Link) campaign is for the good of people who live in, work in or visit St Andrews rather than to benefit rail buffs, trainspotters or steam heritage devotees.   It is surely a matter of common sense that such a major generator of income for the Scottish economy as St Andrews be made as easily accessible as possible by fast, modern public transport.


However the fact remains that the ability to reach St Andrews by train would be a great advantage for the town and its businesses, residents and visitors, commuters and students. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>MSP gets wrong end of stick - but council&#x27;s deputy leader supports study</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-14T11:38:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9b6b86335c78e98d5580dbd807effd8b-26.php#unique-entry-id-26</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9b6b86335c78e98d5580dbd807effd8b-26.php#unique-entry-id-26</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA['This idea of linking the projects, of using the well-known name of St Andrews to pull in support for the not so well-known Leven, is in fact endorsed by a transport consultant who has already carried out work on both proposals.

...St Andrews generates so much money for the Scottish economy that it is only fair to enable it to continue doing so without making life intolerable for the residents. 

...Starlink is not campaigning on behalf of rail devotees, but for all who have to travel in and out of St Andrews, be they residents or visitors, students or commuters. ...  It is not just during golf tournaments or at the start and end of the university term that the town is swamped with traffic, but whenever somewhere has a Monday holiday or even just when the sun comes out.

...It therefore makes sense to provide it with the best possible transport links, thus enabling the town to continue creating prosperity, without its residents having to suffer an increasing influx of thousands of cars upon more and more occasions.'
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Views of Architectural Heritage Society on Starlink campaign</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-15T01:19:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5de8552cac4311643cce3502b2d04372-25.php#unique-entry-id-25</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5de8552cac4311643cce3502b2d04372-25.php#unique-entry-id-25</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In this age of the car it will be a minority group that wishes to travel to St Andrews by rail.   Most people who come to St Andrews for a day out will always want to jump into their cars and drive.'


He did, however, acknowledge that St Andrews had a major problem with traffic congestion, presumably from all those who insist upon jumping into their cars and driving, and urged St Andrews to follow the example of other historic university towns such as Cambridge, where,


'ring-roads divert through-traffic, well-organised peripheral car parks are served by an excellent park-and-ride bus service and the historic centre is pedestrianised, and is thus safe, spacious and unfestooned by closely-packed parked vehicles.' 


Of course, St Andrews has minimal through-traffic to divert, and it could also be argued that if people insist upon driving rather than use a train they might also eschew a park-and-ride bus.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Opinions of retired statistician on Starlink campaign</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-10T00:40:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f997e505300f79ec5ec298e7b7e73b3c-24.php#unique-entry-id-24</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/f997e505300f79ec5ec298e7b7e73b3c-24.php#unique-entry-id-24</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Mr Newton's case is that comparisons with German studies or recent Scottish re-openings are irrelevant, though he himself cites the Edinburgh South Suburban line to back his own argument.   The extra time to go into St Andrews would discourage passengers, there would be 'delay after delay' due to capacity problems, a station on the North Haugh would 'not be in walking distance for those people who do not reside in central St Andrews' so they would have to drive a car anyway, and in any case the present bus and train 'link' at Leuchars 'is better than many' in the country (which is doubtless why most passengers use cars instead!)   although there are 'very few places where there are dedicated bus and train links' because 'you cannot have an integrated service unless you throw lots of money at it.'


Mr Newton says that only the data from a feasibility study should be used to back the case for St Andrews.   Precisely - so let's have one.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Burning Issue - Courier</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-06T23:21:00+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/88bd1b9cf5de9f440b9db9a27c9f2f5e-23.php#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/88bd1b9cf5de9f440b9db9a27c9f2f5e-23.php#unique-entry-id-23</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA['I certainly think Fife Council needs to commission a report into the re-opening of the St Andrews line since St Andrews is the only university town in the UK (sic) without a line .... we should also examine the possibility of monorail, unmanned services between St Andrews and Leuchars.'


Patrick Laughlin, Manager of the St Andrews World Class initiative, said that public transport links to St Andrews were not as good as they should be for a town with such global aspirations, and high housing costs and low local unemployment rates mean more workers than ever before now live out of town, and called for a full strategic evaluation and costing of each of the options, 'as was done for the Waverley line.' 

...And motorists will indeed use the train, given half a chance; a German study showed that while putting on a bus only enticed 7% of drivers out of their cars, running a rail service on the same route resulted in a 40% transfer from car to train. 

...Since the railway closed the bus service between Leuchars and St Andrews has improved beyond recognition but there is still only a trickle of alighting rail passengers stopping at the bus-stop compared with the vast majority striding purposefully towards the car-park. ...  A service to the Home of Golf from Scotland's capital in an hour would be possible only by rail and once the infrastructure is in place one could even have special trains for particular events, such as the Flying Scotsman hauling the Orient Express to the Open at St Andrews.']]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Golflink numbers down</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2000-07-31T21:30:10+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/779c43e2a9ea8b4fafc001a409b5c8c1-22.php#unique-entry-id-22</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/779c43e2a9ea8b4fafc001a409b5c8c1-22.php#unique-entry-id-22</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As reported in the Dundee Courier (25th July 2000), despite the buses being timed to meet trains at Leuchars (the only time this happens is during the Open) and a police escort to the Links to avoid the traffic jams, golf fans were less keen on entrusting themselves to public transport than they had been at Carnoustie, where there was a train service direct to the town.   As the Scotrail spokesperson said, &lsquo;Carnoustie had the station practically on the first tee which was a big advantage for a lot of people.&rsquo;


The message is clear; while car-drivers can be persuaded to use a direct rail service, they are more reluctant to use an integrated train and bus service, despite the buses connecting with the trains and the police escort to avoid congestion.   Given that at no other times do the buses actually connect with the trains it is obvious that car-drivers will not be tempted out of their vehicles by even an improved bus service from Leuchars; they will vote with their ignition-keys.   The only way to cut down the number of cars coming into St Andrews is to provide the alternative which car-drivers will use, i.e. a direct railway.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Doubts cast on rail study</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2000-08-30T21:28:39+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cf34dba5dff151838acecef79e407146-21.php#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/cf34dba5dff151838acecef79e407146-21.php#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[	c.	wondered whether Historic Scotland clearance would be required about listed parts of the old station, when it was demolished in the early 1970s and tarmacadamed over for a car-park in the mid 1980s.


...What was worst of all though was the so-called investigation into a St Andrews rail-link consisting solely of a one-day questioning of passengers already using Leuchars, and then saying that although a St Andrews railway would generate &lsquo;useful revenue,&rsquo; this would mostly be diverted from Leuchars. 

...Ms Liston was most disappointed that the &lsquo;highly-paid&rsquo; consultants had made no effort whatsoever to identify potential passengers not currently using the railway, for example commuters between St Andrews and Cupar, Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh, nor even visitors generated by new amenities such as the Kingask golf, leisure and conference centre.   &lsquo;Do they really think,&rsquo; she said, &lsquo;that the prospect of a direct rail service from the capital of Scotland to the home of golf would not fire the imagination of visitors?&rsquo;


Ms Liston wrote to Scott Wilson with these and other questions in March and again in May but has so far received no reply, despite an assurance in The Scotsman from Scott Wilson that her queries would be answered.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Lib-Dem council leader backs Starlink</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2000-08-31T21:25:48+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/8e36f7a755bba95707260a9949e59475-20.php#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/8e36f7a755bba95707260a9949e59475-20.php#unique-entry-id-20</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Cllr Harris said, &lsquo;Surely Fife has now proved that it deserves to hold this championship on a regular basis.   However if so, then Railtrack must go ahead and build a railway line to St Andrews, to offer an efficient and comfortable alternative to the private car.&rsquo;   She noted that this fitted in neatly with the Scottish Executive&rsquo;s commitment to golf tourism and added, &lsquo;Perhaps Henry McLeish will see fit to supporting this proposal.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Significant differences in Golflink percentages</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2000-09-30T21:23:26+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6d4e5464eb6024f8ed41a73e61f2d147-19.php#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/6d4e5464eb6024f8ed41a73e61f2d147-19.php#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[STARLINK convenor Jane Ann Liston said, &lsquo;More detail of these figures is required; nevertheless it is clear that the train journey terminating 5 miles short of the course, requiring a change to a bus, has been a major discouragement to golf fans travelling by train.   If that happened despite the buses waiting to meet the trains, and a police escort to the course to avoid congestion, then how much more are passengers discouraged in the ordinary course of events when the buses do not connect and they are not escorted past traffic jams.   If we are serious about trying to cut down car use to St Andrews then the railway must be restored.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink still on track</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2000-12-31T21:21:19+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9ea2fdf9ba67945decad05499bcbecdc-18.php#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9ea2fdf9ba67945decad05499bcbecdc-18.php#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston has had a meeting with Transportation staff, and they agreed that there were some shortcomings in the report, so this was not the last word on the subject.   Indeed, Fife Council did agree to look at it again and have demonstrated their commitment by including a St Andrews railway in their Local Transport Strategy and referring to it in the Fife Structure Plan.   The matter is also under consideration by the St Andrews Tourism Management Programme.


Ms Liston said, &lsquo;It was agreed that further research should be carried out; one of the reasons for the limited nature of the St Andrews part of the rail study was that only a small budget was allocated to it.   Starlink will be happy to assist in bringing about such a study.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fife Council backs St Andrews railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2001-02-27T21:16:46+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/fc8a4d7407c4c6d30e74aabe4a3523aa-17.php#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/fc8a4d7407c4c6d30e74aabe4a3523aa-17.php#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Under the heading &lsquo;Issues to be considered/progressed by Fife Council in partnership with Railtrack and Scotrail and, where relevant, SESTRAN, Scottish Executive, SRA&rsquo; is &lsquo;In the long term, providing a passenger rail link to St Andrews&rsquo;.


Starlink convenor Jane Ann Liston said, &lsquo;The importance of this being put down in black and white by the Public Transport authority cannot be underestimated.   It shows the whole project is being taken seriously by the relevant authorities.&rsquo;]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>2010 meeting for St Andrews Station&#x21;</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2001-02-28T21:15:34+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ca4d38b59486919d2ecec2dea110aab2-16.php#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/ca4d38b59486919d2ecec2dea110aab2-16.php#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Railway Passengers Council at their statutory meeting in Dunfermline expressed the hope that they would be able to hold their 2010 meeting in the new St Andrews Railway Station!


Convenor Mike Lunan made the remark while thanking Alan Bryan, Fife Council&rsquo;s Head of Transportation for his presentation to the meeting, to the great delight of at least two members of the audience!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>RDS calls for St Andrews railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2001-03-30T21:08:42+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/428530838845acd2552867e0d600bcb4-15.php#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/428530838845acd2552867e0d600bcb4-15.php#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Another organisation has expressed support for a St Andrews railway with the Railway Development Society (Scotland) including it in its list of &lsquo;essential enhancements&rsquo; in its submission to the Scottish Executive&rsquo;s consultation document on Strategic Priorities for Scotland&rsquo;s Passenger Railway.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Transport Expert supports St Andrews railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2001-03-31T21:06:22+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/c195b37e7b91220f740391e97390dbfa-14.php#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/c195b37e7b91220f740391e97390dbfa-14.php#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Professor George Hazel of Robert Gordon&rsquo;s University has expressed his support for a railway to St Andrews.   In his address to the St Andrews Tourism Management Programme Forum, Professor Hazel said that the home of golf should be reconnected to the rail network, and suggeted that the funding gap could be closed by a scheme such as was being used in the Edinburgh e-rail project.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Euro 2008 needs St Andrews railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2001-07-31T21:02:28+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0103417be941b662b17f95073488963f-13.php#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0103417be941b662b17f95073488963f-13.php#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Referring to the proposed new Dundee football stadium Cllr Jane Ann Liston said, &lsquo;This means that players, officials and spectators will be looking for good accommodation near Dundee. ...  If however St Andrews were reconnected to the rail network, with both northbound and southbound access, then the hotels of this town which is already used to catering for large sporting events will be able to benefit.   It is also conceivable that St Andrews accommodation could be used by people travelling to Edinburgh, as Murrayfield will be the Edinburgh venue and it is very close to Haymarket, an hour at most from St Andrews by rail.&rsquo;


...&lsquo;Already we have seen Turnberry lose the 2004 Open Championship to Troon because all the former could offer was a park and ride; Troon on the other hand has a railway.   Indeed if St Andrews were not the Home of Golf I am certain we would have been dropped from the Open circuit by now.&rsquo;
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Scottish Executive backs St Andrews Railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2002-02-28T20:59:12+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b92e6ed46c4a1a6da888813c18eb8e24-12.php#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/b92e6ed46c4a1a6da888813c18eb8e24-12.php#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If the modification is accepted then Proposal PT2, which begins, &lsquo;Land for the following routes and facilities will be safeguarded from prejudicial development and identified in Local Plans, in accordance with the Local transport Strategy&rsquo; will read, at its fourteenth bullet-point, &lsquo;The Leven and St Andrews lines including new Stations (subject to review through Local transport Strategy)&rsquo;.


This gives the whole project credibility and helps ensure that the reconnection is not made more difficult by developments taking place on the alignment.


Cllr Liston welcomed the modification, which was suggested by the Fife Council Liberal Democrat Group, noting that the case would be further strengthened in three years time, with the news that the Open is to return to St Andrews in 2005.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Rail Link Anniversary</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2002-07-01T20:56:36+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/fddb0164dae119e563328e3dbe14d5ea-11.php#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/fddb0164dae119e563328e3dbe14d5ea-11.php#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Starlink campaigners marked the 150th anniversary of the first train to run to St Andrews on 1st July 1852, by donning appropriate costume and going to the site of the first station, now beside the Old Course Hotel.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fife Plan supports St Andrews Railway</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2002-08-31T20:54:13+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/fdb1fc13731b2b56a7abe16a9679332e-10.php#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/fdb1fc13731b2b56a7abe16a9679332e-10.php#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The new Fife Structure Plan, including the safeguarding of the St Andrews railway line and station, has been approved by the Scottish Executive.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Dundee Study to look at St Andrews</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2002-10-31T20:48:34+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/caef895864f8564777991017733881a3-9.php#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/caef895864f8564777991017733881a3-9.php#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A study of rail services in the Tay Estuary area is to include consideration of the reinstatement of a railway to St Andrews.


Dundee City Council, in partnership with Angus, Fife and Perth & Kinross Councils and Scottish Enterprise Tayside, has commissioned Steer Davies Gleave and Babtie Group to carry out the work.   Results are expected in March 2003.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Public Meeting</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2004-11-19T20:42:44+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a7a0c27da58f11a7d7741b90819a3f43-8.php#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/a7a0c27da58f11a7d7741b90819a3f43-8.php#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A public meeting to discuss progress of the campaign and possible options for a rail link was held in St Andrews Town Hall Supper Room, 7.50pm, Friday 19th November.   It was addressed by  Iain Smith MSP (North East Fife), Professor George Hazel and Cllr Jane Ann Liston.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Open Golf Championship</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2005-07-31T20:36:14+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/bf8165fa0aa337a72b303648a058813b-7.php#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/bf8165fa0aa337a72b303648a058813b-7.php#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Open Golf Championship was held at St Andrews as it is every five years or so.   Usage of the Golflink rail service via Leuchars (5 miles from St Andrews) stayed at 15% of attendees, the same as the previous visit by the Open in 2000.


In directly rail-linked Open venues the usage was 26% in Carnoustie (1999) and 20% in Troon (2004).


Cllr Jane Ann Liston caused controversy by daring to suggest that the town&rsquo;s transport infrastructure was inadequate for such an event.   The same thing had been said by the chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board &mdash; fifteen years previously.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>E-Rail Study</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2005-10-31T20:33:15+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9823253536e0ec6272bc1287abd484a4-6.php#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/9823253536e0ec6272bc1287abd484a4-6.php#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Results of study by E-Rail advocated a guided bus between Leuchars and St Andrews as an interim measure leading to a full rail link; however Fife Council decided to shelve the whole idea.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Open Golf Championship</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-01-31T20:24:25+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/578e92fa9ca204cca6fd58ea52a18a9d-5.php#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/578e92fa9ca204cca6fd58ea52a18a9d-5.php#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(null)]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>E-Rail Study</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2006-01-31T21:33:57+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0bfe6ca90429f7580c88bc6022f541b2-4.php#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/0bfe6ca90429f7580c88bc6022f541b2-4.php#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Fife Council finally revealed the source of the data upon which they discounted the E-Rail report; yet again no account taken of possible new passengers.   Similar calculations grossly underestimated the use of other new rail developments such as Edinburgh&ndash;Bathgate, Prestwick Airport and Edinburgh Park.


Councillor Jane Ann Liston said &hellip; &lsquo;To have put the whole concept of reconnecting St Andrews to the rail network on ice on the basis of such unreliable data is, to say the least, regrettable.   I hope Fife Council will reconsider.   What is required is a proper study of potential use, including quantifying the numbers of new passengers persuaded out of their cars.&rsquo; ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fife Council</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-05-31T21:32:07+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/daafc51d215ecdbeca84a83cafb6bd08-3.php#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/daafc51d215ecdbeca84a83cafb6bd08-3.php#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Change of administration at Fife Council.   A new Fife Structure Plan, currently with Scottish Ministers, talks vaguely of a &lsquo;transport route&rsquo;, a very much weaker statement than the safeguarding of land for a line and station which is in the current version.   An objection has been lodged; it will be remembered that last time it was the Scottish Ministers who insisted upon the safeguarding statement, contrary to the wishes of Fife Council. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink Questionnaire</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-10-31T21:22:56+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/60eca9a5ece8c3161a0fb6418f22d9e5-2.php#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/60eca9a5ece8c3161a0fb6418f22d9e5-2.php#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Starlink Questionnaire has been launched to demonstrate support for the principle of a railway to St Andrews.   Distributed via St Andrews in Focus magazine to every home in the town and also to all students in halls of residence, as well as hotels, shops, etc. and being handed out in and around St Andrews.   Unlike previous studies this one attempts to contact potential passengers who are currently not using trains at all, as well as those who are travelling to Leuchars to join the rail system.


Thanks to RailFuture (Scotland), the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council and St Andrews World Class for their financial support.


Copies available; please e-mail if you&rsquo;d like some. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Starlink Questionnaire &#x2013; preliminary results</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-03-09T21:16:57+00:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/66c3fe5cba73f6c3e0df8667caf5666e-1.php#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/66c3fe5cba73f6c3e0df8667caf5666e-1.php#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[20,000 questionnaires were distributed during November and December: 6,800 in St Andrews in Focus magazine to every household in St Andrews, 3,000 to all students in halls of residence, the remainder handed to rail passengers at Leuchars, distributed round parked cars at Leuchars and St Andrews (including in streets used by commuters) and, probably the vast majority, left in bundles in hotels, restaurants, pubs and shops.


...78% of residents who do not take the bus to Leuchars for the train would use a St Andrews railway (as most of these are driving a car, this suggests a good opportunity for modal shift).


Those 2 figures comprise 79% of the residents&rsquo; responses; another 15% are users of the bus to Leuchars who would make the same amount of rail journeys if a St Andrews railway were built.


...	&bull;	Buses don&rsquo;t connect with the trains; bus often seen pulling away as train get in. 15 minutes (longer in the evenings) is seen as too long to wait for the next one


...	&bull;	Assertion that many visitors don&rsquo;t realise how far Leuchars is from St Andrews; one B&B provider said she has lost bookings once her potential guests realised the nearest railway station was not actually in St Andrews
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New Web Site</title><dc:creator>starlink@starlink-campaign.org.uk</dc:creator><dc:subject>News</dc:subject><dc:date>2008-05-08T18:56:03+01:00</dc:date><link>http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5101a015258d43f0a13860e260c53e86-0.php#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://starlink-campaign.org.uk/files/5101a015258d43f0a13860e260c53e86-0.php#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Hello!


Here we are with a brand new web site; the space and initial setup is donated by the Event: St Andrews web site &ndash; on the assumption that people who want to know what's on in St Andrews might also want to travel to or from the town...]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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