StARLink

The
St Andrews Rail Link Campaign

St Andrews was connected to the rail system from 1852 until 1969, when it fell a victim to British Rail's indiscriminate cull of branch lines.

The
StARLink campaign was launched in 1989 with a view to reconnecting the town to the rail system in the interests of convenience for travellers, the alleviation of traffic congestion and reduction of car-generated pollution.

Since that time it has steadily built up support both in and outwith St Andrews, lobbied politicians at all levels and raised money for campaigning.

Some Prominent Supporters

and what they say:

"As a recognised tourist attraction the town deserves the best possible transport links, On environmental grounds greater emphasis should be placed on rail travel. A rail ticket marked London to St Andrews would surely tempt many foreign travellers." –
Rt. Hon. Menzies Campbell MP

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

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

"[Closing] the line from Leuchars to St Andrews [was] a monstrous abolition" –
Professor David Daiches

"St Andrews suffers from bad transport links ... it has never been the same since the railway went." –
John Purves MEP

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

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